Find answers to commonly asked questions about Rheumatoid arthritis & chronic pain.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is one of the most common and serious forms of arthritis. RA is a chronic disease, mainly characterized by inflammation of the lining, or synovium, of the joints. It can lead to long-term joint damage, resulting in chronic pain, loss of function and disability.

Disclaimer: All of the videos that I have provided here at My Patients Web Site are for educational purposes only.

If you wish to contact the person(s) who have made these videos, please do so. But, please understand that I personally may not agree with every part of their video or statements.

Rheumatoid Arthritis - THE Facts AND SOLUTION FOR Chronic Pain

Impact of Rheumatoid Arthritis:

	Rheumatoid Arthritis affects 2.1 million Americans. [Lawrence, R. C., Helmick, C. G., Arnett, F. C., Deyo, R. A., Felson, David T., Giannini, E. H., Heyse, S. P., Hirsch, R., Hochberg, Marc C., Hunder, G. G., Liang, M. H., Pillemer, S. R., Steen, V. D., and Wolfe, F. Estimates of the Prevalence of Arthritis and Selected Musculoskeletal Disorders in the United States. Arthritis & Rheumatism 41(5), 778-799. 1998].
	There are 2.5 times as many women as there are men with Rheumatoid Arthritis. [Lawrence, R. C., Helmick, C. G., Arnett, F. C., Deyo, R. A., Felson, David T., Giannini, E. H., Heyse, S. P., Hirsch, R., Hochberg, Marc C., Hunder, G. G., Liang, M. H., Pillemer, S. R., Steen, V. D., and Wolfe, F. Estimates of the Prevalence of Arthritis and Selected Musculoskeletal Disorders in the United States. Arthritis & Rheumatism 41(5), 778-799. 1998].
	Onset of Rheumatoid Arthritis is usually middle-age, but it often occurs in the 20s and 30s.
	There is a high risk of disability and mortality in people with Rheumatoid Arthritis.
	Rheumatoid arthritis joint damage occurs early, often within the first two years of the disease. [El-Miedany Y. The evolving therapy of rheumatic diseases, the future is now.Curr Drug Targets Immune Endocr Metabol Disord. 2002 Apr;2(1):1-11. Review].
	Arthritis and related conditions, such as RA, cost the U.S. economy nearly $86.2 billion per year in medical care and indirect expenses, including lost wages and production. [CDC (2004) Update: Direct and Indirect Costs of Arthritis and Other Rheumatic Conditions -- United States, 1997. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep, 53: 388-389].
	Rheumatoid Arthritis accounts for 22% of all deaths from arthritis and other rheumatic conditions [Sacks JJ, Helmick CG, Langmaid G. Deaths from arthritis and other rheumatic conditions, United States, 1979-1998. J Rheumatol 2004;31(9):1823-1828].
	Persons with Rheumatoid Arthritis are two times more likely to die than persons of the same age without RA in the general population [Wolfe F, Mitchell DM, Siblety JT et al. The mortality of rheumatoid arthritis. Arthritis Rheum, 1994;37(4):481-494].

Is Chiropractic a Treatment for this Condition?

Arthritis/Reversal of Arthritis

Disc regeneration: reversibility is possible in spinal osteoarthritis. Ressel, OJ. ICA Review March/April 1989 pp. 39 -61.

From the abstract: Historically, osteoarthritis has been regarded as a common, slowly progressive disorder seen most often in the elderly that affects the weight bearing joints, the peripheral and axial articulations, and the spine...clinically, osteoarthritis has been universally accepted as an integral consequence of aging. The condition is considered to be the product of various pathobiomechanical alterations in joint function, a �wear and tear� sequelae. It is only in the past few years that increased knowledge about the histopathology, biomechanics, biochemistry, and metabolic properties of normal and osteoarthritic tissue structures has given clinicians any hope of being able to deal with osteoarthritis. When patient care is related to the pathology, pathophysiology, and the kinesiopathology of this condition, arrest and even reversal is possible.

Osteoarthritis, chiropractic, and nutrition: osteoarthritis considered as a natural part of a three stage subluxation complex: its reversibility: its relevance and treatability by chiropractic and nutritional correlates. Berkson DL Med Hypotheses 1991 Dec; 36(4):356-67

From the abstract: It is proposed that chiropractic and nutritional treatment contribute to the amelioration and perhaps reversal of osteoarthritis (OA). It is further proposed that the chiropractic manipulative thrust is, in effect, treating dysfunctional bio-mechanics of joints, affecting positive cartilaginous change. The pathophysiology and multi-factorial causes of OA are reviewed. New interpretations of the literature surrounding OA are discussed which offer arguments for OA's treatment and reversal through chiropractic manipulation and nutritional support. Presented is a new model of the chiropractic concept of subluxation (abnormal joint complex resulting in fixation or decrease in normal range of motion) and the chiropractic manipulative thrust. The associated histologic correlates are also discussed. A review of the literature of anti-inflammatory and muscle/joint complex supportive nutrients appropriate for OA is presented�a complete treatment protocol for OA is summarized.

Rheumatoid arthritis, a case report. Nelson W. Chiropractic Technique 1990; 2:17-19.

From the abstract: A case of rheumatoid arthritis is presented where chiropractic therapy apparently produced homeostasis and a symptom free patient. This is the case of a 51-year-old registered nurse with previously diagnosed RA of 6 months duration. After 4 weeks of care her hand spasms had eased and by 6 weeks the patient had stopped using anti-inflammatory drugs. After 8 weeks all the pain was gone; the patient was able to go dancing�.After 8 months of treatment she attended her daughter�s wedding with practically no pain. After 12 months she was generally pain free unless she altered her diet�After 30 months the patient broke all treatment rules with no articular or tissue pain. Note: The Bennett method of chiropractic was the technique used.

Experimental models of osteoarthritis: the role of immobilization. Videman T. Clinical Biomechanics, 1987; 2:223-229.

From the abstract: Evidence is reviewed from animal experiments supporting the hypothesis that immobilization, for whatever reason, is one of the pathogenic factors in musculoskeletal degeneration. It shows beyond reasonable doubt that immobilization is not only a cause of osteoarthritis but that it delays the healing process. Note: It was observed that arthritic changes were observed after only a few weeks of immobilization

Osteoarthritis: a review of the cell biology involved and evidence for reversibility. Bland, JH, Cooper SM, and SEM Arthritis Rheum 14 (2): 106-133, 1984.

The reversibility of osteoarthritis. Bland, JH. American Journal of Medicine, 75:16-26, 1983.

A 5-year follow-up of 50 cases of idiopathic osteoarthritis of the hip. Seifert M, et al. Ann Rheum Dis 28:325, 1969.

Spontaneous reversal of osteoarthritis is noted.

Incidence and prognosis of the coxarthrosis. Danielsson LG. Acta Orthop Scand (Suppl) 66; 1-114, 1964. Reversal of osteoarthritis is shown possible.

Spontaneous recovery of the hip joint in degenerative joint disease. Perry GH et al. An Rheum Dis 31:440-448, 1972

Restoration of the femoral head after collapse in OA. Storey et al. Ann Rheum Dis 30:406-412, 1971

The chiropractic medical management of hyperuricemia and gouty arthritis. Hicks L. American Chiropractor 1991; 13:12-15.

Atlanto-axial subluxation and upward translocation of the odontoid in rheumatoid arthritis. Rana NA, Hancock DO, Taylor AR, Hill AGS, Am J Bone Joint Surg 55A: 1304, 1973.

Research has shown that most patients with rheumatoid arthritis have severe spinal misalignments.

Brain stem compression in rheumatoid arthritis. Mayer, JW et al JAMA Nov.1, 1976-Vol.236, No.18.

�Involvement of the cervical spine, particularly the atlanto-axial (C-1 to C-2) area, by rheumatoid arthritis (RA) may result in serious complications, including quadraparesis, vertebral artery insufficiency and even death. Pathologic conditions of the cervical spine are common in RA and may occur in as many as 86% of patients with this disease�The incidence of roentgenographic evidence of serious C-1 to C-2 subluxations has been reported as high as 25%.�

OA of the hip: a study of the nature and evolution of the disease. Harrison MHM et al J Bone Joint Surg 35B: 598-626, 1953

Do you want a Nutritional approach to this problem?

Be sure to check our website often for additional information about rheumatoid arthritis.

The information on MY PATIENTS WEBSITE with Dr. Tindall, D.C., C.C.S.T. are provided for the purposes of education only and is not intended as a substitute for advice from your physician or other health care professional. Any products recommend or claims made about specific products on or through this site have not been evaluated by the United States Food and Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease. . You should not use the information on this site for diagnosis or treatment of any health problem or for prescription of any medication or other treatment. You should consult with a healthcare professional before starting any diet, exercise or supplementation program, before taking any medication, or if you have or suspect you might have a health problem.