Arthritis And Joint Pain Treatment in West Des Moines, IA
Content Reviewed by: Dr. Josiah Fitzsimmons, DC, BCN on November 10, 2026
Iowa Chiropractic License #085940 (NPI: 1568993574)
Arthritis And Joint Pain Treatment At A Glance
Arthritis is one of the most common chronic conditions we see at Vero Health Center, and it is also one of the most undertreated from a conservative care standpoint. Most arthritic patients have been told to take pain medication and wait until they need surgery. We offer a different path that focuses on maintaining joint function, reducing pain through non-pharmaceutical approaches, and using regenerative medicine where appropriate to address the joint tissue changes directly.
Conservative care for arthritis at Vero Health Center may include chiropractic care to maintain spinal and joint mechanics, shockwave therapy for arthritic tendon and bursal involvement, and regenerative medicine for patients with significant joint degeneration who want to avoid or delay joint replacement.
What Is Arthritis?
Arthritis is a broad term covering more than 100 different conditions that involve inflammation, degeneration, or autoimmune dysfunction of the joints. The two most common forms seen in a chiropractic and musculoskeletal care setting are osteoarthritis and inflammatory arthritis (including rheumatoid arthritis).
Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease characterized by progressive loss of articular cartilage, joint space narrowing, bone spur (osteophyte) formation, and eventual changes to the joint capsule and surrounding soft tissue. It is the most common form of arthritis and is most prevalent in the weight-bearing joints of the knee, hip, and spine, as well as the hand joints.
Rheumatoid arthritis and other inflammatory arthritides are autoimmune conditions in which the immune system attacks the joint lining (synovium), producing inflammation, joint damage, and systemic symptoms. These conditions require management by a rheumatologist alongside any conservative musculoskeletal care.
Common Symptoms Of Arthritis And Joint Pain
Osteoarthritis produces stiffness that is worst in the morning and after prolonged rest, deep aching joint pain that worsens with activity and weight-bearing, reduced range of motion, clicking or grinding with movement (crepitus), and joint swelling that develops after sustained activity. As the condition progresses, even low-level activity produces significant pain, and the joint may appear enlarged or deformed.
Inflammatory arthritis produces similar joint pain and stiffness but with more prominent prolonged morning stiffness lasting more than an hour, symmetrical joint involvement, and systemic symptoms including fatigue and occasionally fever. The pattern of joint involvement helps distinguish different types of inflammatory arthritis.
What Causes Osteoarthritis?
Osteoarthritis develops from a combination of mechanical loading, biological factors, and age-related changes in cartilage composition. Risk factors include prior joint injury, obesity, occupational and recreational loading, genetic predisposition, and joint anatomy.
Cartilage has limited regenerative capacity. Once damaged by injury or sustained abnormal loading, the process of cartilage loss tends to continue. Abnormal joint mechanics, including misalignment, muscle weakness around the joint, and altered movement patterns, accelerate the rate of cartilage breakdown by concentrating loading on smaller areas of joint surface.
Addressing the mechanical contributors to joint loading is a meaningful component of managing osteoarthritis progression, because reducing peak joint stress slows the rate of further cartilage loss.
Conditions That Can Mimic Arthritis And Joint Pain
Gout produces acute, severe joint inflammation that can be confused with other forms of arthritis. It typically affects the big toe joint first and produces a distinctively acute, extremely painful episode that resolves over days. Calcium pyrophosphate deposition (pseudogout) produces similar acute joint inflammation. Bursitis near a joint can produce localized pain and swelling that patients often attribute to the joint itself. Fibromyalgia produces widespread musculoskeletal pain and tenderness that patients sometimes describe as joint pain. These conditions require specific diagnosis to guide appropriate management.
When To Seek Urgent Care For Joint Pain
A single hot, red, swollen joint with fever requires urgent medical evaluation to rule out septic arthritis, a joint infection that requires emergency treatment. Sudden severe joint pain following minor activity or low-energy injury in an older patient warrants urgent evaluation to exclude fracture.
How Vero Health Center Treats Arthritis And Joint Pain
Arthritis treatment at Vero Health Center focuses on maintaining joint function, reducing pain, and slowing the progression of degeneration where possible.
Chiropractic Care For Spinal And Joint Mechanics
Maintaining normal mechanics in the spine and adjacent joints reduces the abnormal loading that accelerates arthritic degeneration. Chiropractic care for arthritic patients focuses on maintaining mobility and correcting the compensatory patterns that develop around stiff, painful joints.
Shockwave Therapy For Periarticular Soft Tissue Conditions
Tendinopathy and bursitis that develop in association with arthritic joints often respond to shockwave therapy. Addressing the periarticular soft tissue component of joint pain alongside the joint mechanics often produces better functional outcomes than treating the joint in isolation.
Regenerative Medicine For Joint Degeneration
For patients with moderate to significant osteoarthritis who want to avoid or delay joint replacement surgery, regenerative medicine may offer a path toward meaningful symptom reduction and improved joint function. Candidacy is determined through evaluation.
What Our Patients Are Saying
Meet The Experts Behind Your Care
Dr. Josiah Fitzsimmons, D.C.
Dr. Josiah Fitzsimmons is originally from Ames, IA. He played college football at South Dakota State and graduated cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science and a master’s degree in Nutrition, Exercise and Food Sciences in a five-year span. He then attended the fountainhead, Palmer College of Chiropractic.
Dr. Logan Dabney, D.C.
Dr. Logan Dabney is originally from Centerville, IA. He attended Centerville High School, where he discovered his passion for health and science as a frequent visitor to his hometown chiropractor. He then attended the University of Northern Iowa, where he majored in Pre-Med/Chiropractic Biology, before completing his graduate studies at Palmer College of Chiropractic. During his time at Palmer, Dr. Logan was heavily involved in Torque Release Technique and earned Advanced Proficiency Certification in it.
Dr. Scott Coyle, D.C.
Dr. E. Scott Coyle is originally from Waterloo, IA. He graduated from Pepperdine University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Sports Medicine and then attended Palmer College of Chiropractic-West. After practicing in California for several years, he returned to Knoxville, IA, in 1997, where he practiced until 2016. Dr. Coyle then worked in robotic spine and brain surgery for two years with Mazor Robotics, and practiced in Lawrence, KS, for two years before returning home to join the Vero Health Center team. He works with patients dealing with chronic neck, mid-back, and low-back pain, headaches, and arthritis-related discomfort.
Dr. Austin Seitsinger, D.C.
Dr. Austin Seitsinger is originally from Sumner, Iowa. He studied Biology at the University of Northern Iowa, and then attended Palmer College of Chiropractic. He chose to pursue chiropractic at a young age as he has always had a passion for helping others.
Dr. Nate Halverson, D.C.
Dr. Nate Halverson is originally from Fort Dodge, IA, where he was a multi-sport athlete at Fort Dodge Senior High and placed 5th at the Iowa High School wrestling tournament. He found his passion for holistic health care through his background in athletics. After receiving his Bachelor’s degree in Biology from the University of Northern Iowa, he graduated with honors from Palmer College of Chiropractic in Davenport, IA, in 2015. He then worked as the lead chiropractor for a chiropractic and sports injury practice in Chicago before moving back to the Des Moines area with his wife, Leah, to be closer to family. They welcomed their daughter, Hayes, in April 2022 and their son, Steele, in June 2024.
Dr. Colby Nelson, D.C.
Dr. Colby Nelson is originally from Audubon, Iowa. He attended Iowa State University, where he received his Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology, and then attended Palmer College of Chiropractic in Davenport, where he received his Doctorate of Chiropractic degree. During his time at Palmer, he was a leader of the Sports Injury Club and participated in a clinic abroad program in Brazil. Before joining the team at Vero, Dr. Colby operated his own chiropractic clinic for 12 years.
Dr. Taylor Vanden Wynboom, D.C.
Dr. Taylor Vanden Wynboom is originally from Britt, IA. He received his BS degree from Central College and his Doctorate degree from Palmer College of Chiropractic. Before joining the team at Vero Health Center, he owned his own practice in both Ames and Ankeny. In his free time, he enjoys coaching football, exercising, and spending time with his wife Amanda and their four kids, Tate, Harper, Holland, and Harlow.
Dr. Darrius Poe, D.C.
Dr. Darrius Poe is originally from Fort Dodge, Iowa. He attended the University of Northern Iowa where he earned a bachelor’s degree in exercise science. While in undergrad, he discovered his passion for chiropractic after being treated for a sports injury in a chiropractic clinic. Not only did the chiropractic treatments help with his shoulder injury, he was also educated on the intricacies of the central nervous system and how chiropractic care can help the body heal and function better as a whole. Dr. Darrius’ experience as a chiropractic patient motivated him to pursue a career in chiropractic. He attended Palmer College of Chiropractic in Davenport, IA, where he received his doctorate in 2018. Prior to joining the Vero team, Dr. Darrius served as an associate and clinic director for six years in the Des Moines metro area.
Dr. Toby Thepsoumphone, D.C.
Dr. Toby Thepsoumphone is originally from Smyrna, Delaware. He graduated from the University of Delaware with a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science with a concentration in Exercise Physiology. He then pursued a doctorate degree in chiropractic and graduated from Palmer College of Chiropractic in Davenport. Dr. Toby also attended Harris School of Business in Dover, Delaware, where he earned a degree in Massage Therapy. He has worked as a Licensed Massage Therapist since 2016. He specializes in sports massage, deep tissue, and gua sha. His passion is to help others to achieve optimal health and wellness. He has certifications in the Webster’s Technique and acupuncture.
Dr. Scott Jacobson, D.C.
Dr. Scott Jacobson grew up in Cherokee, Iowa, and has spent more than 17 years in practice across Iowa, Minnesota, Texas, California, and South America. While living in South America, he helped grow a clinic into one of the largest on the continent and became bilingual in Spanish along the way. He is Board Certified in Neuropathy (BCN) through the American College of Physical Medicine (ACoPM) and previously served in the United States Air Force and worked with the Department of Defense. Dr. Scott Jacobson has also been a black belt in Taekwondo for 40 years. He and his wife have two sons—so apparently he enjoys a challenge both professionally and at home.
Serving West Des Moines And Nearby Iowa Communities
Vero Health Center is located at 630 S 50th St in West Des Moines, Iowa, and serves patients from West Des Moines, Clive, Windsor Heights, Urbandale, Des Moines, Johnston, Norwalk, Waukee, Grimes, Saylorville, Van Meter, Pleasant Hill, Ankeny, Dallas Center, Granger, Polk City, De Soto, Carlisle, Adel, Altoona, Bondurant, Indianola, Cumming, and the surrounding area.
Sources And Clinical References
- Source: Cleveland Clinic: Arthritis
- Source: Mayo Clinic: Osteoarthritis
- Source: CDC: Physical Activity for Arthritis
Frequently Asked Questions
Can chiropractic care help with arthritis?
Yes. Chiropractic care is beneficial for patients with osteoarthritis by maintaining joint mechanics, reducing compensatory muscle tension, and addressing the biomechanical contributors to abnormal joint loading. We adapt our approach to the degree of degeneration present and the patient’s comfort level.
Is there anything I can do to slow the progression of my arthritis?
Yes. Maintaining joint mechanics through chiropractic care, strengthening the muscles that support affected joints, managing body weight to reduce joint loading, and addressing biomechanical contributors to abnormal stress on arthritic joints are all evidence-informed approaches to slowing progression. We will discuss which of these apply to your specific joints and situation.
What is the difference between osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis?
Osteoarthritis is a degenerative condition caused by cartilage breakdown over time, typically affecting weight-bearing joints asymmetrically. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune condition in which the immune system attacks the joint lining, typically producing symmetrical joint involvement with prominent morning stiffness and systemic symptoms. Treatment approaches differ significantly between the two.
Do I need imaging before starting care for arthritis?
Existing imaging is helpful and we will review it if you have it. In many cases, the clinical evaluation provides sufficient information to begin conservative care. If the findings suggest significant degeneration or if you are considering regenerative medicine, imaging becomes more important for planning.
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Read This ArticleBook Arthritis And Joint Pain Treatment in West Des Moines
Arthritis does not have to mean waiting for surgery. Vero Health Center provides conservative care for arthritic joints that focuses on maintaining function, reducing pain, and addressing the mechanical contributors to joint degeneration. Contact us to schedule your evaluation.