Higher humidity and the change in season can often result in arthritis flare-ups slowing down your spring movements.

It's important, says Dr. Trevor Clark from Connect Chiropractic, to note that there are different types of arthritis.

Systemic or inflammatory arthritis such as rheumatoid, lupus, or psoriatic arthritis is distinctly different from non-inflammatory arthritis types such as osteoarthritis.

Osteoarthritis, while the most common form of arthritis that patients experience, is not systematic.

"This is more from wear and tear on the joints over time," Clark says. "These joints will lock up."

That can come as a result of one part of your body simply being used more due to misalignment. As a result, despite a reputation for usually affecting older people, osteoarthritis is something many younger individuals are now facing as well.

"It's very important to check these types of things earlier on because they are preventable," Clark recommends.

Symptoms of arthritis can vary, but usually, centre around the issue of pain. "If you have more swelling and heat coming off a joint, you probably want to go to your medical and get some testing done to see if you have some inflammatory arthritis."

Less swelling accompanying the pain can often be attributed to an osteoarthritis situation.

Clark's biggest recommendation for preventing osteoarthritic symptoms from occurring in your spine is to "keep things moving."

"People are so sedentary in this day and age with work, school, etc.," explained the chiropractor. "If these joints lock up, chiropractic [care] is great to get them moving again."

Even for those who already are experiencing symptoms or have arthritis, movement is the best remedy. Clark recommends a 20- to 30-minute walk each day or swimming, which are low-impact activities. Running and other high-impact, aerobic activities will result in greater intensity and wear on joints.

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