Arthritis Specialist
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Active Care Chiropractic & Rehabilitation
Chiropractors located in Penn Valley, PA
Active Care Chiropractic and Rehabilitation serves residents of Penn Valley, East Falls, Lafayette Hill, Center City, Philadelphia, and Elkins Park, Pennsylvania. Dr. Dillow treats multiple forms of arthritis including psoriatic arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and osteoarthritis. He uses cold laser therapy along with good nutrition to help ease your arthritis symptoms.
Arthritis Q & A
What’s the difference between rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and osteoarthritis?
All 3 types of arthritis result in joint pain and stiffness, but the root cause of each is different.
- Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune condition which results in swollen, stiff joints and sometimes includes fatigue and loss of appetite. Your immune system, which usually protects you from invaders that lead to illness and disease, instead turns on your joints. Your internal organs may also be affected.
- Psoriatic arthritis is an inflammatory response to the skin condition of psoriasis. Swelling in the fingers and feet, rashes and eye problems often accompany the condition. About 30% of people with psoriasis develop this autoimmune complication.
- Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis. It’s a chronic condition that occurs when the connective tissue between joints breaks down due to wear and tear. The absence of cushioning results in pain, stiffness, and swelling.
What is cold laser therapy and how does it work?
Dr. Dillow performs cold laser therapy with a handheld device that wields specific wavelengths of light. The low-level laser sits over the affected joint for 30 seconds to several minutes depending on the size of the area.
The light penetrates several layers of skin to interact with cells and turn on their healing mechanisms, which helps ease pain, swelling, and spasms. Ultimately, the goal is to increase functionality of the joints. Multiple studies confirm the effectiveness of cold laser therapy in treating arthritis, as well as back pain, fibromyalgia, and carpal tunnel syndrome.
What nutritional recommendations can I expect?
You can’t cure any type of arthritis solely with diet, but certain foods may help reduce inflammation and pain associated with your condition. Proper nutrition can also restore your energy and help you function better throughout the day. Dr. Dillow reviews your diet, makes recommendations for increasing anti-inflammatory foods and helps you learn which foods to avoid.
