Conditions We Treat · Arthritis & Joint Pain

Arthritis & Joint Pain Care in Logansport, IN

Q: What’s the difference between osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis?

Osteoarthritis is typically wear-and-tear / mechanical joint change with stiffness and pain that’s often activity-related. Rheumatoid arthritis is an inflammatory autoimmune condition that can involve multiple joints and systemic symptoms. If your history suggests inflammatory arthritis, we’ll recommend the right medical workup.

Q: Why are my joints stiff in the morning or after sitting?

Stiffness often reflects joint sensitivity, reduced motion, and decreased tissue tolerance—especially after long static positions. Most people do better with gentle motion, short movement breaks, and a progressive strengthening plan.

Reduce stiffness, improve motion, and build joint confidence — with a clear plan.

Movement-based joint screen (not guesswork)

Clear plan for flare-ups + daily guardrails

Conservative, capacity-building approach

Arthritis and joint pain can make everyday tasks feel harder — stairs, standing up, gripping, reaching, or sleeping comfortably. Our goal is to help you move better and feel more stable by improving joint motion, reducing irritation, and building tolerance over time. If your pain overlaps with knee pain, hip pain, shoulder pain, or low back pain, we’ll connect the dots and outline the simplest next steps.

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Less stiffness + better motion (without “pushing through” pain)
Clear home steps to reduce flare-ups between visits
Honest direction — including referrals when needed

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Written by:Dr. Tyler M. Graham, DC

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Clinically reviewed by:Balanced Chiropractic Clinical Team

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Last updated:December 31, 2025

Educational only. Not medical advice. If symptoms are severe, rapidly worsening, or you suspect an emergency, seek urgent care.

What’s Usually Driving Arthritis & Joint Pain?

“Arthritis” isn’t one feeling. The right plan depends on whether symptoms are mainly stiffness, mechanics, inflammation, or load tolerance.

Common patterns we see

Morning stiffness that improves after moving around
“Gelling” after sitting (stiffness when you first stand up)
Activity-sensitive pain (stairs, squats, overhead reaching, long walks)
Swelling or achy flare-ups after high-volume days
Compensations from weak hips/shoulders/feet that overload the joint

Some joint pain isn’t arthritis at all — it can be tendon irritation, bursitis, meniscus/cartilage irritation, or referred pain from the spine. That’s why we start with a movement-based exam.

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How We Help Arthritis & Joint Pain

We focus on improving motion, calming irritation, and rebuilding capacity — so daily activity feels safer and easier.

Movement-Based Joint Exam

We assess range of motion, joint sensitivity, strength, and pattern triggers so the plan matches your real-life aggravators.

Targeted Hands-On Care

When appropriate, we use conservative hands-on care to restore motion and reduce protective guarding — always based on what your joint tolerates.

Capacity Plan + Home Guardrails

Clear do’s/don’ts, helpful positions, and simple strengthening/mobility steps to improve joint confidence over time.

Common joint areas we address

Knee stiffness and stair pain (see Knee Pain)
Hip pain with walking or sleeping (see Hip Pain)
Shoulder pain with reaching or lifting (see Shoulder Pain)
Foot mechanics that drive knee/hip overload (see Custom Orthotics and Foot & Ankle Pain)
Spine-related stiffness (see Low Back Pain and Neck Pain Relief)

Arthritis Self-Care: What Usually Helps (Without Overdoing It)

Most people do best with “frequent small doses” of movement and progressive strengthening — not long rest or painful pushing.

Simple guardrails

Move early, move often: short walks or gentle mobility breaks beat long static sitting.
Warm-up before load: a 3–5 minute warm-up can reduce “first steps” pain.
Progress slowly: small weekly increases help joints adapt without flare-ups.
Respect the “24-hour rule”: if you’re worse the next day, scale volume back.
Support mechanics: feet/ankles and hips often influence knee and low-back stress.

Arthritis & Joint Pain FAQs

Clear answers — including “when to worry.”

Can chiropractic care help arthritis and joint pain?

Often, yes. Conservative care can help reduce pain, improve joint motion, and build capacity—especially when stiffness, mechanics, and load tolerance are driving symptoms. We’ll confirm what’s safe and appropriate based on your exam.

What’s the difference between osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis?

Osteoarthritis is typically mechanical wear-and-tear change with stiffness and activity-related pain. Rheumatoid arthritis is inflammatory/autoimmune and can involve multiple joints and systemic symptoms. If your history suggests inflammatory arthritis, we’ll recommend the right medical workup.

Why are my joints stiff in the morning or after sitting?

Stiffness often reflects joint sensitivity and reduced motion after long static positions. Most people do better with gentle motion, short movement breaks, and progressive strengthening rather than long rest.

Do I need imaging for arthritis or joint pain?

Not always. Many cases can be managed based on exam findings and response to conservative care. Imaging is more likely after significant trauma, severe swelling, suspected fracture, infection concerns, neurologic symptoms, or symptoms that aren’t improving as expected.

What if my knee/hip/shoulder pain is not arthritis?

That’s common. Joint pain can come from tendon irritation, bursitis, cartilage/meniscus irritation, or referred pain from the spine. We’ll assess movement and pattern triggers to identify the most likely driver and your best next step.

What should I avoid if I have arthritis?

Avoid complete rest for long periods and repeated aggravating loads without recovery. Most people do better with modified activity, shorter bouts of movement, and progressive strengthening rather than stopping everything.

How long does it take to feel better?

It varies. Many people notice improved stiffness and motion within a few visits when the plan matches their triggers. Longer-term progress comes from building capacity with strength, mobility, and smart load management over weeks to months.

When should I worry and seek urgent medical care?

Seek urgent care for a hot, red, rapidly swollen joint; fever; inability to bear weight after injury; sudden severe pain; chest pain/shortness of breath; new weakness/numbness; or any rapidly worsening symptoms.

Arthritis & Joint Pain