Soft Tissue & Chronic Pain
Arthritis & Joint Stiffness
Age- and load-related joint change, and the stiffness that goes with it.
Also called: Osteoarthritis, Degenerative joint disease, Joint stiffness.
Osteoarthritis describes changes in joint surfaces that develop over time. Chiropractic care does not reverse those changes. What can be addressed is the movement, load, and function of the joints and structures around the affected area.
Stiffness often varies through the day — commonly worse first thing in the morning or after long periods of inactivity, and easier once the joint has been moving for a while.
Why this matters
Staying appropriately active is generally better for arthritic joints than resting them completely. Comfortable, confident movement — rather than eliminating all discomfort — is usually the realistic and practical goal.
Understanding which movements aggravate a joint and which support it helps someone stay active without unnecessarily protecting or avoiding the area.
The brain & nervous-system connection
Where the nervous system fits in
Balance, gait, and pain sensitivity all influence how arthritis is experienced day to day, which is why we evaluate more than just the joint itself.
Nervous system sensitivity can make a joint feel more painful than the degree of physical change alone would predict, and that distinction matters for setting realistic expectations.
What we look at
We look for patterns, not a single test
- Detailed health history and consultation
- NeuroInfiniti Stress Response Evaluation
- Posture and movement
- Balance and coordination testing
- Eye movement or neurological screening when appropriate
- Grip or motor-function testing when appropriate
- Palpation and spinal function
- Other examination procedures based on the individual
Not every person receives every test. What we perform depends on your history, your age and what the examination shows as we go.
Scope of care
What this does — and doesn't — mean
What we do
- • We evaluate chiropractic and musculoskeletal function.
- • We look at nervous-system-related functional findings that fall within our scope.
- • We assess movement, balance and coordination findings.
- • We measure stress-response patterns with the NeuroInfiniti evaluation.
- • We make individualized chiropractic care recommendations and re-measure over time.
What we don't claim
- • We do not diagnose, treat or cure diseases.
- • Chiropractic care is not a treatment for dementia, Alzheimer's disease or other neurological diseases.
- • Chiropractic care is not a replacement for medical care, testing or medication.
- • No outcome is promised. Results vary from person to person.
This is a concern where medical evaluation, imaging or co-management may be the right first step. Dr. Mike Geran will say so plainly if that is what the history and examination suggest.
Common questions
- Will I be adjusted on the first visit?
- Generally no. The first visit is an evaluation visit. Dr. Geran reviews the findings and makes recommendations at the follow-up visit.
- Do I need imaging before I come in?
- Not usually. If your history or examination suggests imaging is needed, we will say so and help arrange the right next step.
When medical evaluation may be needed
Inflammatory arthritis — such as rheumatoid arthritis — is a medical condition requiring medical management. We will refer where the history or examination suggests it.
Related at Foothills Chiropractic
- Joint Pain & Staying Active — Shoulders, hips, knees, ankles — extremity function matters as much as the spine.
- Achilles Tendinopathy — Pain and stiffness in the Achilles tendon, usually load-related.
- Ankle Pain — Pain or restriction at the ankle, often after an old injury.
- Ankle Sprain — Ligament injury from rolling or twisting the ankle.
Think Foothills Chiropractic might be right for you?
Start Here walks you through what the process looks like, so you can decide whether taking the next step makes sense for you.