Stiff And Achy Joints

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Get Help For Stiff And Achy Joints With Chiropractic, PEMF Therapy, & Spinal Decompression Therapy

stiff and achy joints

Stiff and achy joints can refer to any area of the body and any joint because all of them can, in a way, become stiff and achy. Having stiff and achy joints does not mean you are getting old, well not always. In fact, there are many conditions that can cause achy pain and stiffness in the joints of the body. The pain can be a result of old or recent injuries, degeneration or wear and tear, physical stress, passed down genetic conditions, or just being sedentary, to name a few. Below we will discuss conditions that can commonly create achy pain and stiffness in the joints of the spine and the upper and lower extremities.

A joint is the place where two bones meet. They are responsible for the mobility of the body. The muscles are the force that causes movement at the joint. Most joints are made up of four basic structures: bone, ligaments, fluid, and cartilage. Damage or injury can occur in one or more of these structures causing the joints to be stiff or painful. 

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Step 1 Includes Consultation, Examination & Any Necessary X-rays. Step 2 Includes Doctor's Report Of Findings, First Chiropractic Adjustment & First Additional Therapy (decompression or PEMF)

How Our Care Plan Works

See Exactly What Is Wrong

You won’t be left guessing about your health. We start with a detailed consultation & physical exam, but the real difference is in our comprehensive digital X-rays. You'll see exactly what’s going on: where the spine is misaligned, how severe it is, and why you feel the way you do. Instead of vague explanations or guesswork, you’ll get clear answers that finally make sense of your symptoms & show the best path moving forward.

Achievable & Lasting Results

Your care shouldn’t feel overwhelming or impossible to follow. That’s why we build a personalized plan that works in the real world. We combine chiropractic adjustments, modern therapies, & simple at-home recommendations to help you correct posture, restore movement, & keep your results long after your visit. It’s a straightforward, achievable plan designed to create sustainable improvement—not quick fixes that fade a week later.

Be Able To Do Everything You Want To Do

Our goal goes beyond getting you out of pain—we want to help you get your life back. By addressing the root causes of your discomfort and giving your spine the long-term support it needs, we help you return to the activities that matter most: working without distraction, exercising with confidence, or simply moving through your day without hesitation. We’ll guide you through lasting changes so you can be free to do everything you love.

What Are The Causes Of Stiff And Achy Joints?

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis affects over 32.5 million adults in the United States. It occurs when the cartilage that is connected to the bone begins to wear and tear.  Osteoarthritis or OA, is a condition that gets worse over time or as you age. It is common in both men and women. OA is caused by past injuries, bad posture, or repetitive motions over time. Pain presents as dull and achy, can cause stiffness, and cause decreased range of motion in the whichever joint is affected. The most common regions of osteoarthritis are weight bearing joints such as the neck, lower back, hips, knees and feet.

Subluxation

A subluxation is a malposition or misalignment of a bone. It refers to a bone that is not functioning or not working properly. In the human skeletal system, each joint has a specific function and motion. At times, due to trauma or repetitive situations, these bones get stuck and restrict the movement or motion of the joints. This creates pain that can be achy and even sharp in some instances. The restricted motion will also cause the joints to feel stiff. One of the common joint restrictions or subluxations are when the vertebrae in the neck subluxate, causing what most people call a “crick” in the neck. This condition can also be considered a form of torticollis. 

Bursitis

Bursitis is the inflammation of the bursa sacs that surround and protect certain bones and structures. The bursa is a fluid filled sac that acts as a cushion. The most common areas to have bursitis are in the shoulder, elbow, hip and knee. The bursa is typically damaged by repetitive movements over time or frequent pressures such as leaning on hard surfaces with your elbow or the side of the hip. Bursitis will present as achy or stiffness, especially with motion and with direct pressure on the joint. Bursitis becomes more prevalent as you age.

Tendonitis

Tendonitis is the inflammation of a tendon. Tendons are thick fibrous ends of the muscles that connect muscle to bone. Tendons become inflamed with repetitive motions and strains. They cause achy pain and stiffness as movement irritates the tendon tissue due to injury. The most common areas to have tendonitis are the shoulders, elbows, knees, and heels. Tendonitis in the shoulder typically affects the tendons of biceps muscle.  Tendonitis in the elbow is usually called “golfer’s elbow” when it affects the medial elbow, and “tennis elbow” when it affects the lateral aspect of the elbow. The usual suspect when there is tendonitis of the knee is patellar tendonitis which attaches from the bottom of the kneecap to the top of the lower leg. The common name for this condition is “runner's knee”. Achilles tendonitis is the common form of tendonitis in the heel. There is usually pain in the back of the leg behind the ankle near the heel. 

Scoliosis

Scoliosis is a condition of the spine in which there is a sideways curvature where the spine would normally be straight. They typically show up in your child or teenage years, possibly during growth spurts. According to the American Association of Neurological Surgeons, causes can be idiopathic (no unknown cause), congenital (embryological malformation), or neuromuscular (due to a neurological or muscular disease). Idiopathic scoliosis accounts for 80% of all scoliosis.

They also mention that scoliosis affects an estimated six to nine million people in the United States resulting in more than 600,000 office visits per year. Scoliosis patients will present with more chronic stiffness than achy pain. Those patients usually present with uneven hips and/or shoulders. Diagnosis is confirmed through imaging studies such as an x-ray.  The curvature has to exceed 10 degrees to be considered a scoliosis. Curvatures usually present as one C shaped curve or two S shaped curves. 

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j. franco trevino
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this place is awesome!!
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Randee Rothman
September 2, 2026
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I recently started seeing Dr Hurtig at CORE Chiropractic. This place is amazing. From the first phone call to my continued visits, I find EVERYONE to be professional and friendly. At first, I was apprehensive about going to any chiropractor, but after I saw my x-rays and the pain that I was in, I knew that I needed help… I like how Dr Hurtig sat down with me and went over the x-rays, explaining everything in great detail and then sharing his plan of attack to address my issues… All I can say is kudos to this wonderful organization and with sincere THANKS
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Carol Lickwar
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Well organized, appts are on time, everyone is knowledgeable and friendly
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John Linton
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Decompression chair with swivel greatest thing since sliced bread for lower back relief. I'm no doc but it works for me.
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Beautiful team, great care , kind service and Dr.Nguyen is caring , patient and intentional
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Christopher Duran
August 21, 2026
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Dr Cordova and the entire staff is extremely professional and on a scale from one to 10. I give them a 12. My back looked like San Francisco’s Lombard Street due to some recent injuries. We have maximum progress in the appropriate amount of time and I’m no longer walking on a cane. Thank you, Dr and thank you all
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Danilo Sibugan
August 5, 2026
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I had a great experience with Dr. Vinh Nguyen as my chiropractor. He was very kind, professional, and took the time to listen to my concerns. He explained everything clearly and made me feel comfortable throughout the treatment. After my visit, I noticed significant pain relief and felt much better. I truly appreciate his care and expertise. I highly recommend him to anyone looking for a knowledgeable and compassionate chiropractor. Thank you for helping me feel better!
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Sir Kirston
August 5, 2026
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I had not been able to walk in weeks. I could not stand up for more than a few moments at a time. I could only lay down in a few positions. Soaking in hot water right after I woke up and before bed became a normal of my routine. I went to see another chiropractor on two separate occasions to no avail. And on a lovely Thursday I decided to go to CORE and my how has life been amazing. Later that day as I lay in bed doing some thinking about my visit with the PM&R doctor and as I went to get out of bed, I went to slide out of the bed as I had to do for weeks, I felt nothing. So I stood up, took a few steps, and nothing. Doing back flips inside and not wanting to jinx myself, I walked into my bathroom and as I approached the mirror, I glanced as if I was looking around the corner at a stranger engaged in something that doesn’t have anything to do with me. Once I made it to the mirror, I realized that the pain was gone. Dr. Nguyen, I Thank You.
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Andi Parker
August 4, 2026
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Thank goodness for CORE Chiropractic. I made an appointment on a whim thinking I just had pulled a muscle, and through my initial visit and X-rays I discovered much more. Dr Hurtig is so kind and truly gifted!! I look forward to every appointment and every time I come in the front of office staff is so warm and welcoming. The whole place runs like a well oiled machine and it’s really refreshing to see. Thanks you guys! 🫶🏽✨
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Fatima A
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I’ve had a great experience at Core Chiropractic. I came in with neck and back pain, and I’ve already noticed a big improvement.Dr. Nguyen is knowledgeable, caring, and takes the time to explain everything & showing me exercises I can do at home to keep improving. Eduardo has also been incredibly helpful.The entire team is so kind, friendly, and welcoming. I wish I could mention all the ladies by name because they truly deserve it, but I’m terrible at remembering names! They always make every visit a pleasant experience. I highly recommend Core Chiropractic to anyone looking for quality care and a genuinely caring team.

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What Are The Most Effective Treatments For Stiff And Achy Joints?

Chiropractic Care

Chiropractic care is designed to locate the areas of your spine that are stuck, misaligned, or both causing stiffness and pain. Finding these misalignments and restoring function is key to better health and a better functioning spine. 

PEMF Therapy

PEMF, or pulsed electromagnetic field, is a source of energy that helps the body repair/regenerate/rebuild naturally, enhancing the functionality of the body's cells. Imagine your body as a battery. Chronic achy pain slowly drains your body of its energy, decreasing your function and the ability for you to heal at your best. That’s where PEMF technology comes in! PEMF therapy recharges your internal battery and increases your function to the optimal energy needed to be restored.

Spinal Decompression Therapy

Non-surgical spinal decompression therapy can help by allowing you to open up the spinal joint and disc on either side that is creating pressure, stiffness, and pain along in the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar regions of the spine.

At CORE Chiropractic, we utilize several adjusting techniques to help you get the best, most comfortable results possible. We take spinal x-rays to make sure you don't have any underlying conditions that will stop us from working on you, but also to establish a baseline as to where you are at the beginning of care. Later we can do follow up x-rays to show you how much has improved.

$97 New Patient Special Offer

Step 1 Includes Consultation, Examination & Any Necessary X-rays. Step 2 Includes Doctor's Report Of Findings, First Chiropractic Adjustment & First Additional Therapy (decompression or PEMF)