Rheumatology conditions such as arthritis are prevalent inflammatory issues impacting over 250 million individuals globally. This condition is characterized by joint discomfort and can be highly challenging. Chiropractic care, the third largest healthcare profession in the U.S., can offer integrative therapies as additional options to help manage these musculoskeletal conditions. We will discuss chiropractic care's role in integrative rheumatology in this article. We will cover the various therapeutic modalities that chiropractors use for rheumatology patients, the functional labs, and other integrative methods that chiropractors may use to support rheumatological health.
[signup]
What is Integrative Rheumatology?
Integrative rheumatology is a subset within the specialized field of rheumatology. It offers a comprehensive approach to understanding and managing rheumatic conditions. Rheumatology encompasses systemic autoimmune conditions that affect the musculoskeletal system along with other musculoskeletal disorders. These rheumatological conditions often affect the joints, bones, and muscles, leading to discomfort, stiffness, and changes in joint function. Moreover, they can impact other body parts, including the skin, eyes, organs, and nervous system. Common examples of rheumatic conditions include osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis (RA), gout, lupus, and fibromyalgia.
Integrative rheumatology recognizes that addressing rheumatology involves looking at how it affects the person as a whole and not just focusing on the specific condition or symptom. The goal of integrative rheumatology is to explore the underlying factors or root causes that may contribute to the symptoms. Practitioners such as chiropractors utilize various approaches within integrative rheumatology to provide holistic care to their patients so they can enhance their overall health and quality of life.
What Kind of Therapeutic Modalities Do Chiropractors Use for Rheumatology Pain Management?
Chiropractors have various tools and techniques within their practice that they can use to help manage discomfort in rheumatology patients. Here is a list of some of the most commonly used modalities:
Adjustments
A licensed chiropractor will use their hands or special instruments to manipulate joints in the body. Chiropractors often use this therapeutic treatment to help relieve discomfort in rheumatic conditions by realigning the joint and increasing the range of motion.
Soft-Tissue Therapy
Chiropractors use this therapy to alleviate muscle tightness. It can also reduce spasms and ease tension in the fascia of each muscle, thereby inducing relaxation. Soft-tissue therapy can be used as an alternative to adjustments or in conjunction with adjustments.
Exercises and Stretches
Moderate exercise and stretching can be beneficial as adjunctive therapy for supporting rheumatological health. Chiropractors will implore this approach with their patients to help them restore and maintain joint stability and improve mobility.
Kinesio Taping
Kinesio taping is a form of joint bracing utilizing different taping techniques to support the joint or muscle to allow them to heal. Patients with rheumatological conditions will sometimes need their joints and muscles supported so they can still exercise to improve their conditions, and chiropractors can use this modality to support the patient's musculoskeletal system.
Integrative Nutrition
Chiropractors will refer to integrative medicine experts to help their patients with personalized nutrition plans to support overall health and promote a well-rounded strategy for their musculoskeletal well-being. Currently, many chiropractors are also getting certified in functional or integrative medicine to offer a more holistic approach to their care.
Functional Medicine Labs Used by Chiropractors That Can Help Individualize Support for Rheumatology Patients
The following labs can be helpful to chiropractors so that they can make plans that are more tailored to their patients' individual needs:
Arthritis Panel
Chiropractors can utilize functional medicine labs, such as the Arthritis Panel, to customize support for patients with rheumatological conditions like osteoarthritis or RA. By monitoring markers like RF (rheumatoid factor) and CRP (C-reactive protein), this test provides insights into processes occurring in individuals, allowing for targeted approaches to their care.
hs-CRP
The hs-CRP test can be helpful for chiropractors to assess for minor increases in CRP (an inflammatory marker) in rheumatic conditions. Increased levels of CRP can often signal a flare of the rheumatic condition offering the practitioner insight into managing the symptoms and the body's response. Continued monitoring of this marker can guide therapy modifications.
Comprehensive Stool Panel
This test will help practitioners analyze the microbiome's health, which can significantly affect joint and overall health. This microflora analysis can aid functional chiropractors in personalizing nutritional protocols for rheumatology patients to support their health, thus improving their response to care.
Organic Acids Test (OAT)
Metabolic imbalances can impact discomfort and inflammation in rheumatology patients. The OAT will assess metabolic health, nutrient levels, gut health, energy production, and detoxification ability. This test can help practitioners analyze imbalances that can contribute to discomfort conditions, further guiding a more personalized support protocol.
Food Sensitivity Panel
Food sensitivities occur when the immune system reacts abnormally to specific food components and activates an immunoglobulin (IgE, IgG, IgA) response. Prolonged consumption of foods that trigger an IgG response can contribute to leaky gut syndrome leading to chronic inflammation. Gluten sensitivity, in particular, has been linked to symptoms such as joint and muscle discomfort and numbness in the legs and arms. Assessing for food sensitivities can help chiropractors provide personalized nutritional plans to support their patient's musculoskeletal health.
Micronutrient Panel
This Micronutrient Panel can assess for specific nutrients such as vitamins B and Omega 3 fatty acids. Sufficient amounts of these nutrients have been associated with decreased discomfort and symptoms in rheumatic conditions making this a consideration when it comes to testing for rheumatology patients.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D levels should be checked regularly in rheumatology patients as deficiencies in this nutrient can lead to symptoms like muscle weakness, numbness, and tingling. Testing for D levels can also support proper dosing of this vitamin for optimal function.
[signup]
Integrative Nutrition for Rheumatology Patients
Integrative nutrition strategies involve managing inflammation in rheumatology patients. Some of these specific nutritional plans include the Autoimmune Protocol (AIP) and Mediterranean diets. Other approaches involve increasing specific nutrients like vitamins B1, B2, and omega-3 fatty acids and avoiding processed foods.
The AIP diet focuses on nutrient-dense, minimally processed foods while eliminating foods such as grains, legumes, and processed oils that are considered pro-inflammatory. This diet is an excellent consideration for rheumatology patients that have an autoimmune component to their condition.
Another specific nutritional plan beneficial for rheumatology patients is the Mediterranean diet. This diet prioritizes whole, unprocessed foods, anti-oxidant-rich fruits and vegetables, nutritious fats such as olive oil, fatty fish like sardines, and nutritious nuts and seeds. This diet has been shown to support overall health. It can help manage rheumatology symptoms by supporting inflammation management, improving gut health, and providing essential nutrients. Other integrative nutrition approaches involve increasing specific nutrients like B vitamins and Omega-3 fatty acids, as having sufficient amounts of these nutrients can support joint health and manage inflammation and discomfort associated with rheumatic conditions. The consistent thread between all these approaches is to avoid processed foods. These foods include refined grains, factory-farmed meats, and trans fats. These processed foods are pro-inflammatory and can cause more chronic inflammation in rheumatology patients. Integrative practitioners are well-trained in providing guidance to personalized nutrition plans and should be consulted.
Supplements and Herbs for Rheumatology Patients
These supplements are particularly helpful for rheumatology patients:
Boswellia Serrata
This traditional herb possesses properties that may help alleviate rheumatology-related symptoms. A meta-analysis encompassing seven studies demonstrated remarkable discomfort reduction and enhanced joint function among more than 500 osteoarthritis patients. A recommended 100-1,000 mg dosage should be taken consistently for at least four weeks for optimal results.
Omega-3
The potential benefits of omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oil may support relief for rheumatology conditions such as arthritis and fibromyalgia. A daily intake of at least 2.7 grams of omega-3 supplements over three months has been associated with symptom reduction in morning stiffness and tender joints. These positive effects can potentially decrease reliance on non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
Vitamin C
When managing rheumatoid conditions like gout, Vitamin C, known for its antioxidant properties, can play a valuable role in supporting inflammation management. Studies have indicated that supplementing daily with vitamin C in the range of 200-2,000 mg, with 500 mg being a typical dosage, can effectively support serum uric acid levels in patients with gout. It's worth noting that optimal results are typically observed when the supplementation period is less than one month.
Vitamin D
There is an association between deficient Vitamin D levels and rheumatology symptoms such as muscle weakness, cramps, fatigue, numbness, and tingling in the extremities. Sufficient vitamin D levels have been shown to support symptom management related to fibromyalgia. It is recommended to test vitamin D levels regularly for these patients, and the suggested supplement dosage is 2400 IU daily for low levels and 1200 IU for moderate levels.
Curcumin
A meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials has demonstrated that curcumin, administered at a dosage of 1 gram, exhibits comparable effectiveness in relieving arthritis symptoms to common analgesics. Curcumin can be a valuable option for supporting symptom management associated with rheumatology symptoms including discomfort.
[signup]
Summary
Rheumatological conditions such as arthritis affect millions in the U.S. and can cause discomfort, inflammation, and joint dysfunction, leading to challenges in daily life. Having multiple options to support these conditions is necessary to help these individuals properly. Chiropractors can offer integrative methods that address the relationship between the body's alignment and optimal function to help alleviate many of the symptoms associated with these conditions. These practitioners are becoming integral to the health care system as they offer complementary services in managing conditions such as rheumatic diseases.
%201.svg){kind=logo}
