When you picture the type of people likely to be diagnosed with arthritis, what most often comes to mind? If you think of adults, you would be accurate in your thinking, as the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) estimates that almost 23 percent of U.S. adults (more than 54 million) have an official diagnosis of some form of arthritis.

The CDC also estimates that more than half of all seniors ages 65 and older have some form of arthritis. However, what may be surprising is that there are also approximately 300,000 children who also suffer from arthritis.

How does juvenile arthritis differ from adult arthritis, and how can chiropractic care help? Here, Dr. Nathen Horst outlines how regular chiropractic care can help children with arthritis live pain free and stay active.

Types of Juvenile Arthritis

Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis in adults, and is commonly associated with aging joints. With the exception of a very few genetic conditions that cause rapid aging, osteoarthritis is almost never found in children.

Instead, pediatric forms of arthritis are more like rheumatoid arthritis in adults (RA). Symptoms for arthritis in juveniles include joint pain, swelling, tenderness and stiffness that have been present for six weeks or more.

There is actually a spectrum of arthritic conditions found in children under the age of 16. These conditions are collectively known as juvenile idiopathic arthritis or JIA (idiopathic means that no specific cause has been determined). Types of JIA include:

Systemic arthritis. This type of JIA is considered to be the closest to adult RA, in that it can also involve general body symptoms, such as rashes and problems with the cardiopulmonary system and kidneys.

Oligoarthritis. This form usually involves one to four joints during the first six months and may include more joints over time. This usually involves large joints, such as the knees or ankles.

Polyarthritis. This will usually involve at least five joints during the first six months. It typically involves the smaller joints, such as the fingers or wrists. Some research has shown that teens diagnosed with polyarthritis will then go on to develop RA as adults.

Chiropractic Treatment

Many of the same treatments that Dr. Horst would recommend for his adult patients with RA can also be used for children with JIA. Because JIA can affect the joints directly, the base of Dr. Horst’s chiropractic care will include chiropractic adjustments to support any affected joints and their surrounding tendons and ligaments.

This is particularly crucial in the spine, as it is essential for children with JIA to maintain proper posture in order to prevent symptoms from getting worse. If the vertebrae in the spine become misaligned, they can place pressure on nerves leading in and out of spinal column. This can disrupt proper signaling to the brain regarding body function, leading to the pain and stiffness associated with JIA.

A chiropractic adjustment will open up the spaces between the vertebrae, allowing everything to realign properly, thereby releasing pressure on the nerves.  Dr. Horst recommends several other treatments that can be used directly on the affected joints, including massage, acupuncture, hydrotherapy, and heat and ice therapy.

Although arthritis is far more common in adults, it can also be debilitating for children. Chiropractic care for adults with arthritis is well established. Fortunately, the role of chiropractic for treating children with JIA has also proven to be effective.