Research shows that chiropractic may relieve arthritic pain. A study, published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, found that almost three-fourths of patients that visited a chiropractor for arthritis pain, felt relief. The research showed that 63 percent of patients suffering from arthritis used a form of complementary care and alternative medicine, with chiropractic being quite popular. Almost one-third of those patients visited a chiropractor at least once.

Arthritis generally causes patients to feel joint pain and tenderness as well as a locking of the joints and swelling from inflammation.

According to an article in MedicMagic.net, Jan. 30, 2010, “Chiropractic adjustments work by breaking down scar tissue and adhesions that curb joint motion and are a source of pain. Chiropractic care reduces the pain of arthritis and restores a portion of the lost range of motion that accompanies arthritis by checking the formation of scar tissue.”

However, the article notes, chiropractic care cannot undo the arthritic damage but can provide patients with pain relief.