The Hidden Dangers of Corticosteroids: What You Need to Know

Corticosteroids are commonly prescribed to reduce inflammation and manage pain—but at what cost? While these drugs may offer short-term relief, long-term use can come with serious consequences for your health, especially for your joints and blood sugar levels.

In this article, we’ll explore why corticosteroids can be harmful, how they affect specific joints like the jaw, knee, and shoulder, and why chiropractic care in Evansville Indiana provides a better path to lasting wellness.

What Are Corticosteroids?

Corticosteroids are synthetic drugs that mimic the effects of hormones produced by your adrenal glands. They’re often prescribed for conditions like arthritis, asthma, and autoimmune disorders. When it comes to joint pain, corticosteroid injections are commonly used to temporarily reduce inflammation in areas like the knee, shoulder, and jaw.

But while they may reduce pain in the moment, they often do more harm than good in the long run.

How Corticosteroids Harm the Body

Elevated Blood Sugar Levels

One of the most overlooked side effects of corticosteroids is their impact on blood sugar. These drugs can cause a significant spike in blood glucose, which is especially dangerous for individuals with diabetes or prediabetes.

High blood sugar leads to:

• Insulin resistance

• Increased risk of Type 2 diabetes

• Chronic fatigue and inflammation

Even a single corticosteroid injection can disrupt blood sugar levels for days or even weeks.

Joint Deterioration Over Time

Although corticosteroids are injected directly into joints to relieve pain, repeated use can actually accelerate joint degeneration.

Corticosteroids and the Knee

The knee is one of the most common sites for steroid injections, especially for osteoarthritis. But studies show that corticosteroids can weaken cartilage in the knee, leading to faster breakdown of the joint and worsening long-term mobility.

Corticosteroids and the Shoulder

Shoulder injections may offer relief for rotator cuff injuries or frozen shoulder, but the downside is significant. Corticosteroids can weaken tendons and connective tissue, increasing the risk of tears and long-term instability.

Corticosteroids and the Jaw (TMJ)

The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is delicate and highly active. Injecting steroids into the jaw can provide brief pain relief, but can also contribute to joint breakdown, making chewing and speaking more painful over time.

A Smarter, Safer Alternative: Chiropractic Care

The goal of chiropractic care is not just to reduce pain but to restore function, movement, and long-term wellness. Instead of masking symptoms, chiropractic care at Lobacz Chiropractic focuses on identifying the root cause of dysfunction and promoting the body’s natural ability to heal.

Why Movement Matters

When joints move properly, they receive essential nutrients and maintain healthy tissue. Chiropractic adjustments help:

• Restore proper joint mechanics

• Improve range of motion

• Reduce inflammation naturally

• Prevent long-term joint degeneration

Advanced Tools to Enhance Healing

In some cases, joints need more than just movement—they need assistance in breaking up scar tissue and reducing inflammation at a deeper level. That’s where additional therapies come in:

Laser Therapy

Low-level laser therapy (MLS Laser) stimulates cellular regeneration and reduces inflammation. It’s an excellent, drug-free option for pain relief in the knee, shoulder, or TMJ.

Shockwave Therapy

Shockwave therapy sends sound waves deep into the tissue, breaking up adhesions and calcifications. It’s particularly useful for chronic conditions like tendonitis or frozen shoulder.

Both of these tools can be used alongside chiropractic care to accelerate healing and get you back to doing what you love—without harmful drugs or surgery.

Begin Your Healing Journey the Natural Way

If you’re tired of temporary relief and want a long-term solution for your joint pain, it’s time to look beyond corticosteroids. Lobacz Chiropractic offers a natural, holistic approach to healing through movement, hands-on care, and cutting-edge technology like laser and shockwave therapy.

Stop masking the symptoms and start fixing the problem—naturally.