Dr. Alvin Philipose DC/ Nitin Sawheny MD
Prolotherapy Injections Specialist Near Me in Oklahoma City, OK

405.848.7246
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Arthritis

Arthritis: An Oklahoma City, OK and Surrounding Areas Chiropractor’s Approach

Arthritis is one of the most common musculoskeletal disorders in the world. In the U.S., close to 1 in 4 adults have been diagnosed with some type of arthritis. It tends to affect females more than males; however, lifestyle factors play a significant role in its prevalence. If you are in good health and exercise regularly, the chances of you developing arthritis can be much lower, especially for developing it earlier in life. Age also plays a role; the older you get, the more likely you will develop arthritis or that the arthritis you do have will progressively worsen.
Your weight also has a significant say in whether you develop arthritis, with it being much more likely to occur if you are overweight or obese. This is due to the increased weight-bearing load on the joints over time, which causes the joints to wear down at a quicker rate. For example, for every pound overweight that you are, it adds four pounds of stress to your knee joints. It is no wonder why knee replacement surgery is one of the most common procedures performed in the U.S year after year.
So, what exactly is arthritis? In simple terms, arthritis means inflammation of a joint. This can cause swelling, redness, pain, and reduced range of motion in this joint. Arthritis falls into two main categories: degenerative arthritis and inflammatory arthritis. Arthritis can affect any joint in the body – where two bones come together. Typically, there are certain joints more commonly affected by arthritis. Hips, knees, shoulders, and spinal joints tend to become arthritic because they are joints that involve a lot of weight-bearing movement and force.
The medical model treats arthritis in several different ways. From more conservative measures such as anti-inflammatory medications and physical therapy to more invasive measures like injections or surgery. This journey is typically what arthritis patients will find themselves on as they navigate their diagnosis. There are, however, other more natural, conservative measures available to help maximize function and improve quality of life. At Venturis Clinic, Dr. Alvin Philipose has a range of services to help decrease pain, improve mobility, and get you back to living the life that you want to live. By addressing the root cause and not just masking symptoms, our patients are able to get the most out of their care and live with more independence.

Custom Stretching Exercise

Because movement is paramount to improving your arthritis, stretching will be a staple of your care at Venturis Clinic. When it comes to arthritis, if you don’t use it, you lose it. If you don’t keep your joints moving, they will get stiffer and more difficult to perform simple movements, if they can even be performed at all. This can be very frustrating and disappointing as people start to miss out on the things that bring them joy.
Stretching can force joints to remain mobile and keeps them healthier. Customized stretching help strengthen bones and joints alike. If this type of stretching is not possible, other less strenuous exercises can still benefit the joints. Outside of our office, another great way to exercise in low-force conditions is by doing something like water aerobics in a pool. Whatever suits you best, just do it! And do it consistently, as that is the key to achieving the best outcomes for yourself.

Spinal Decompression in Oklahoma City, OK and Surrounding Areas

In the spine, arthritis has a unique presentation that involves narrowing the disc space and hypertrophy (enlargement) of some of the joints in the posterior region. Together, these changes have the potential to cause great pain for patients, as they can both decrease the size of the hole from which nerves emerge from the spine. One of the best ways to help open this space and give the joints some room to breathe is spinal decompression. At Venturis Clinic, Dr. Alvin Philipose can perform both neck and low back decompression depending on your specific issue. When combined with chiropractic care, spinal decompression can help unlock the spine and improve mobility and function.
Call to Schedule a Complimentary Consultation
405.848.7246
Ask about Digital Motion X-Ray Imaging
Offering variety of pain management solutions 

Common Types of Arthritis

Osteoarthritis

Also can be known as “Degenerative Joint Disease” or DJD, osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis. This condition usually affects only one side or the other, as inside only one knee instead of affecting both equally as other arthritis might. In osteoarthritis, the cartilage layers that line the bones of a joint are wearing away or have worn away, which decreases the spacing of the joint. This will cause reduced range of motion and can be more painful to perform certain movements such as going up or down stairs. It is commonly seen in the spine, hips, and knees but can be found elsewhere. Mobility stretching and adjustments are great ways to help keep the joint spacing open and preserve your range of motion for as long as possible.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

This condition is an “inflammatory arthritide” and is a systemic condition, which means it can affect the whole entire body. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune condition, meaning the body’s immune system attacks normal healthy joints, causing red, hot, swollen joints on both sides of the body. RA is commonly managed with prescription and OTC medications, but there are many alternatives to these conventional treatments to ease arthritis symptoms. Chiropractic and stretching can be effective at reducing inflammation and decreasing pain. Eating an anti-inflammatory diet can also help keep inflammation levels down, so they are not as bothersome to the joints.

Psoriatic Arthritis

Psoriatic arthritis is another type of inflammatory arthritis that affects joints in a similar way that rheumatoid arthritis does. This type of arthritis is linked to psoriasis, a condition that classically causes skin scales and pitted fingernails. Another classic sign of psoriatic arthritis is “sausage fingers” due to their swollen, bloated appearance. There is no cure for PA, but it can be managed effectively through diet, exercise, and chiropractic care.

Gout

Yet another inflammatory arthritide is called Gout, which also causes red, hot, swollen joints. However, gout usually only affects one joint at a time, most commonly the big toe. The body produces uric acid as it breaks down a substance known as purines. Too much uric acid will lead to gout. Foods high in purines include red meats and seafood, it is recommended to limit your consumption of these, especially during a flare of Gout. Alcohol is another known substance that negatively affects gout. Managing diet and exercise is the best way to control this very painful condition.

Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA)

It is important to understand that arthritis doesn’t just affect adults. Juvenile idiopathic arthritis is the most common type of arthritis that affects children. What was known as juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, this condition can be very painful and cause swelling, inflammation, stiffness, fever, and other uncomfortable symptoms may be experienced. If left unmanaged and untreated, JIA can cause permanent damage to affected joints. Managing this case with a pediatric rheumatologist is essential to control the problem before permanent damage occurs.
Call to Schedule a Complimentary Consultation
405.848.7246
Ask about Digital Motion X-Ray Imaging
Offering variety of pain management solutions 

Frequently Asked Questions

What is prolotherapy good for?

Many conditions respond well to prolotherapy, such as facet syndrome (back and neck arthritis), whiplash, joint sprains, degenerative disc disease, osteoarthritis, tennis elbow, sprains, chronic tendonitis, Ehler’s-Danlos Disease, Bulging disc, knee pain, shoulder pain Vagus nerve inflammation and more.

What are the risks of prolotherapy?

Theoretical risks of prolotherapy injections include soreness, infection or neurological (nerve) damage. Injections should be performed by trained physicians using universal precautions diagnostics examinations and tproper examinations. This results in very minimal side effects.

What is the average cost of prolotherapy?

Costs vary quite a bit from $150-$1500 dependent on type and contents of injections.

Is prolotherapy a permanent fix?

Prolotherapy is an all-natural, permanent treatment, as it relies on the body repairing itself to reduce pain. In contrast, pain relievers and anti-inflammatory medications only provide temporary relief. Booster shots as well has wellness therapies including stretching, massage, chiropractic, dry-needling and strengthening will help maintain progress.

Who is a good candidate for prolotherapy?

More specifically, prolotherapy may be right for you if you experience any of the following: Damaged or lost tissue, especially surrounding the joints. If patients have tried various traditional treatments including prescription drugs, physical therapy, or steroids but seen minimal to no results, prolotherapy may be right for you.

Why does prolotherapy hurt so much?

A patient is generally sore for a couple of days after Prolotherapy. This is because the injections have to go through some muscles to get to the ligaments and tendons. To help the muscle soreness resolve itself sooner, dry needling and moist heat applied to the area is recommended.

Is prolotherapy better than cortisone?

Cortisone can cause tendon rupture, particularly of the achilles tendon. Prolotherapy is a proven orthopedic treatment to reduce pain and strengthen weakened joints without the negative side effects of cortisone.

What are the pros and cons of prolotherapy?

Prolotherapy is great for strengthening weak joints and creating heightened muscle functionality, such as increased movement and flexibility. However, there are some risks involved, for example it is a shot like any other so there could be pain or tenderness to the injection site.

What should you not do after prolotherapy?

Due to the numbness we ask that you refrain from any strenuous activities but to stay mobile. Continue to move affected area to decrease soreness and stiffness. You should avoid strenuous physical activity for 2 days following injections. You will experience some pain and soreness 2-5 days after your treatment. Do not take any anti-inflammatories, pain medications or steroids during treatments. This may inhibit your body’s ability to heal the affected tissue.

How long does prolotherapy take to heal?

Most ligaments and tendons heal within a period of 3 months; however, the majority of healing after a prolotherapy session occurs in the first two weeks.

How many prolotherapy sessions will I need?

Prolotherapy treatments vary from person to person and from injury to injury. Many patients have experienced some relief of their pain with only one session. The average person requires anywhere from 3-12 treatment sessions spaced about 3-6 weeks apart from each other.

How long does a prolotherapy injection last?

On average, patients experience one year of improvement and relief from prolotherapy. However, there is a huge variation and sometimes improvement lasts from three months to 15 years.

What is injected during prolotherapy?

Prolotherapy involves injections of a mild irritant into the injured part of your body. Most of the time the injection contains saline, dextrose (a type of sugar), and lidocaine, which is a numbing agent. Dr. Philipose custom tailors the injection, so the exact composition depends on your needs. These injections may include natural collagen, minerals, amino acids and other natural substances to accelerate healing compared to traditional prolotherapy.

Is prolotherapy better than surgery?

Prolotherapy is considered a viable alternative to surgery, and as an option to pain medications, cortisone and other steroidal injections. The Prolotherapy procedure is considered a safe, affordable option that allows the patient to keep working and/or training during treatment.

Can prolotherapy reverse arthritis?

One study with 90 adults with knee osteoarthritis involved some participants getting monthly prolotherapy injections of dextrose for 3 to 5 months. Those who received prolotherapy saw a significant improvement in pain, function, and stiffness scores.

Does prolotherapy regrow cartilage?

Prolotherapy is an injection of a non-biologic substance with localized effects for repairing connective tissue injuries of the musculoskeletal system. Recent studies in humans show that prolotherapy stimulates cartilage regeneration.

Are you sedated for prolotherapy?

Prolotherapy is a safe, cost effective injection technique used for treating musculoskeletal injuries and chronic pain in various parts of the body. It is noninvasive, has limited side effects and does not require sedation.

What does dry needling actually do?

Dry needling treats muscle tissue, and its goal is to reduce pain, inactivate trigger points and restore function. It rarely is a standalone procedure. Rather, it often is part of a broader physical therapy approach incorporating other traditional physical therapy interventions into treatment.

What is dry needling and does it hurt?

We use very thin filament needles. The initial feeling of the needle entering through the skin is very minimal; much less than a vaccination or having blood drawn. Once the needle reaches the muscle, the twitch sensation feels more like a deep cramp and doesn't last long (15-30 seconds).

How long does dry needling results last?

After dry needling, experiencing some slight soreness is normal, and you will typically note an improvement in your symptoms within one to two days. How long the benefits will last will vary per individual. The first few treatments will usually have a short length of relief spanning over several days.

How many sessions of dry needling do you need?

If treatment zones are found and the correct muscle groups are targeted, sub-acute conditions will improve after three – four consecutive sessions, with chronic injuries requiring five – six consecutive needling sessions.

Does dry needling remove knots?

Dry needle therapy resolves muscle knots by inserting a very thin needle directly into the trigger point. The knot responds to the interruption and relaxes immediately. Most patients agree that dry needling doesn't hurt in the way that you might think!

How deep do dry needles go?

Superficial dry needling involves inserting a needle at a depth up to 10 mm or into the subcutaneous tissue and may be combined with manipulation of the needle while in situ.

Does dry needling reduce inflammation?

The micro tears caused by the needle prompts the body's natural defenses to get to work, bringing nutrient-rich blood to the site and boosting tissue repair. Dry needling also helps to dissipate inflammatory mediators, those substances that gather in an area of inflammation.

Is dry needling good for arthritis?

Dry needling is an effective treatment in reducing pain from osteoarthritis because it increases blood circulation around the joint, thereby providing natural relief.

What exactly does a chiropractor do?

A chiropractor is trained to make sure your body is functioning as optimally as possible by using spinal manipulations and other therapies to relieve pain in your joints and muscles. These spinal adjustments will increase blood flow and nerve conductivity to the joints and muscles that are experiencing pain. They are taught philosophically to find and treat the cause rather than just the symptoms.

Is it healthy to go to the chiropractor?

Spinal manipulation and chiropractic care are generally considered safe, effective treatments for acute low back pain, the type of sudden injury that results from acute or chronic conditions such as strains, arthritis or disc injuries.

What are the benefits of chiropractic care?

• Improves neck pain.
• Reduces reliance on opioid pain relievers. 
• Eases back pain.
• Possible reduction of osteoarthritis symptoms. 
• Eases headache symptoms. 
• More affordable treatment for chronic back pain. 
• High satisfaction. 
• Reduces scoliosis symptoms.

What are the cons of seeing a chiropractor?

Spinal and joint manipulation has a chance to go wrong and may cause unwanted injuries. So it is important that you only have an appointment with an experienced chiropractor that performs the necessary examinations and diagnostics to ensure safe treatments. DO NOT ALLOW a physical therapist or any other untrained person try a manipulation especially without X-rays.

When should you go to a chiropractor?

Chiropractors are most sought after to treat neck and low back pain due to acute or chronic pain. If you experience back pain that lasts for more than a few days, consult a chiropractor for an assessment.

What cracks when you see a chiropractor?

During a back adjustment, your back undergoes quick, gentle stretching of the spinal facet joint, so you may hear a cracking or popping noise. This is caused by small pockets of air or bubbles, which are in the fluid that surrounds your joints.

Why do chiropractors want you to keep coming back?

Changing your posture, changing your spine's ability to move, changing your muscle health and structure take time. Months in fact. All muscles have memory and your body wants to go back to its old patterns instead of creating new healthy ones. That is why adjustments need to be repeated again and again

Is chiropractic care is ineffective?

Critics are skeptical mainly due to the fact that chiropractic care does not involve medications or any invasive surgeries. Some have associated this practice with some side effects and fatal complications in some cases resulting in death or stroke. It also goes against the medical philosophy of not prescribing medications. In recent years there has been a comparison that shows not only Chiropractic to be safe, but healthier and more successful than taking steroids and medications. There are also various techniques now that prevent any type of injuries due the gentleness of the adjustment.

Why do some chiropractors crack and others don't?

The noises you hear during chiropractic treatment depend on the technique used. For example, some techniques cause a cracking sound, and others don't, but both can be highly effective, depending on your needs. So, whether you hear an abundance of pops or none at all, you don't need to worry.
If you have tried multiple types of doctors and treatments but still hurting, you may not have found the cause. We can help!
Find Us
7917 N May Ave, Oklahoma City, 
OK 73120, USA
(405) 848-7246
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