The word "arthritis" means inflammation of the joint. Arthritis can affect a person at any age. Sometimes the symptoms of arthritis are called rheumatism. Eight classes of arthritis and related conditions have been identified. These are:

- Inflammatory - the membrane of the joint becomes irritated

- Attachment arthritis - frequently in the heels and lower back, the ligament or tendon fastened to the bone becomes irritated

- Crystal arthritis - the big toe has deposits of microscopic crystals of sodium urate

- Joint infection - bacteria contaminate the fluid inside the joint, usually found in the hip, shoulder and knee

- Cartilage degeneration - usually found in the knees, neck, lower back, hips and fingers, this type of arthritis arises when the cartilage of the joint breaks down

- Muscle inflammation - muscle tissue becomes inflamed

- Local conditions - a local injury causes pain, such as tennis elbow

- General conditions - a condition characterized by generalized muscle pain and sleep disturbance.

Chiropractic is a remedial system that centers on the structure of the body. Daniel David Palmer gave the first chiropractic treatment in 1895. He derived the name chiropractic from the Greek "cheir" meaning hand, and "praktikos" meaning practice or perform. Treatment is adapted to suit the age, build, pain levels and general health of the individual. Treatment schedules depend on whether your back problem is acute or chronic, and on your age and general health.

The chiropractic treatment for arthritis depends on whether the practitioner is a "straight" or "mixed" chiropractor. The body is permitted to cure itself by straight chiropractors, who treat arthritis by working with the spine to correct subluxation and other imbalances. The mixed chiropractor will probably treat arthritis and other remedies such as acupressure mixed with spinal manipulation.

X-rays of many people in their 20's show that arthritis is not just an old age thing. Chiropractor Dr. Lynn Kelly has identified the number one cause of arthritis as being joints that aren't moving properly because of misalignments of the bones that form them. Your spine is a group of cylinder-shaped bones with knobs on the backs and side of each bone that fit into grooves in the neighboring vertebra, and a chiropractor can evaluate these joints for you.

Chiropractic adjustments are painless for most patients. Tiny pockets of gas are relieved from the joints when your vertebrae are adjusted, making a "popping" noise. Dozens of research studies have recognized the safety and helpfulness of chiropractic care. Chiropractors are also taught to identify when damage is outside of their scope of practice and will refer patients to the proper medical specialist if needed.

The small joints of the body can be damaged by rheumatoid arthritis, as with any joint in the body. One in five to one in three patients with RA have spinal involvement. If you're an RA patient with spinal involvement, you should not have chiropractic manipulation done, as it can cause your spinal instability to worsen.