Arthritis
is the name given to more than 100 different diseases that cause
pain, swelling, and limited movement in joints and connective
tissue. One out of every six Americans suffers from some form
of arthritis, and unfortunately, the condition can last a lifetime.
In 1997, Americans made an estimated 629 million visits to
practitioners of "complementary and alternative medicine"
(CAM), compared with just 388 million visits to primary care
physicians that same year. A study published in the Annals
of Internal Medicine found that many arthritis patients
used CAM, and that chiropractic was the most frequently used
type of care.
Even more significantly, chiropractic was also near the top
of the list in terms of the number of patients who regularly
used CAM, and the number of patients who found CAM helpful
for their condition.
Don't let arthritis get the best of you. If you or someone
you know suffers from the daily pain and frustration of arthritis,
schedule an appointment with a doctor of chiropractic.
Reference:
Rao JK, Mihaliak K, Kroenke K, et al. Use of complementary
therapies for arthritis among patients of rheumatologists.
Annals of Internal Medicine, Sept. 1999: Vol. 131,
No. 6, pp409-16.
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