Arthritis

Suffering From Arthritis Pain

We Can Help!

Call Us Today 703-912-7822

Arthritis is a group of conditions involving damage to the joints of the body.  One of the most common types of arthritis that affects the joints in your body is called osteoarthritis.  Osteoarthritis is also known as degenerative arthritis, degenerative joint disease or as I like to call it Spinal Decay.  Arthritis or spinal decay is a condition where the joints and cartilage in your body wear down.  The symptoms of arthritis may include joint pain, tenderness, stiffness, inflammation, creaking, and locking of the joint.  Arthritis is caused by several factors including prior injuries, hereditary, mechanical, metabolic and developmental.  Spinal decay is very common but is NOT normal. This process in the spine has similarities to tooth decay in that it shows up usually because of neglect. Also, just like tooth decay, it can happen to anyone, regardless of age.

Because it is often seen in older people, many believe it’s merely the normal aging process. It is not. This progressively worsening, degenerative condition is the result of uncorrected spinal misalignment. Spinal decay is how your body deals with the stress of gravity.

It just so happens that most people have spinal problems that they’ve ignored for years. To relieve arthritis pain we take a multi-faceted approach.  First, we make sure the joint with arthritis is moving correctly.  Spinal misalignments and a lack of motion can make a joint stiff and painful.  With chiropractic adjustments we restore the normal motion to the joint and take pressure off the joints and surrounding nerves.  Next, we try to reduce inflammation in the joints with arthritis with an anti-inflammatory diet and supplements.  Arthritis can cause the joints in the body to become inflamed and swollen and a proper diet and supplements can help reduce the inflammation.  Finally, exercise is an important part of relieving arthritis pain.  Exercise keeps the joints with arthritis or spinal decay mobile and loose to prevent pain, stiffness and further progression.

Arthritis in the neck is called cervical arthritis also known as cervical spondylosis.  During this condition, the vertebrae in your neck and the flexible discs which are like shock-absorbing cartilage that are between the vertebrae begin to break down or degenerate.  This condition narrows the space where the nerves leading from the spinal cord in the neck.  This can cause the nerves to become inflamed cause neck pain and radiating pain into the arms.

Three Phase Process

Spinal decay is a process. This process occurs over time but it may be accelerated with motor vehicle injuries, injuries and lack of exercise. We use a three-phase model to show the process of spinal decay.  We find that it makes the differences between each phase great enough so our patients can appreciate what they’re seeing.

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    Text Book Normal

    While this process can occur anywhere in the spine, it’s easiest to see in the  cervical (neck) spine. This is what the side view of the neck should look like. From the side, the neck should have a graceful forward curve. The edges of each bone are well defined. There should be equal disc spacing between each bone and the openings for nerve roots should be clear and unobstructed. This view to the left would be considered a textbook "normal" side view of the neck.

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    Phase 1

    In Phase One there is a loss of curve and a reduced ability to turn and bend. In some cases, the disc space between adjacent vertebrae may be reduced. Or, discs can become wedge-shaped, risking more serious soft tissue damage. Depending upon your body’s adaptive capacity, pain or other obvious symptoms may not be present. Even the resulting reduced range of motion may be too subtle for some to notice.  The first thing you notice on this view is the loss of the normal curve.

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    Phase Two

    If neglected, in Phase Two, joint surfaces lose their clearly defined edges as the early signs of bone spurs become visible on X-ray views. Some believe that the body senses the accompanying inflammation as the sign of a broken bone. It begins the process of depositing calcium salts. Without being in a cast to prevent movement, the fusion doesn’t occur. Yet.  In this view the joint surfaces become rough and uneven.

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    Phase 3

    If still left uncorrected, the problem worsens in Phase Three. Amazingly, pain or other obvious symptoms may not yet show up. But finally, the body successfully “mends the broken bone.”

This process can take years. Its presence calls into question the claim that many patients make that they were “…fine until last week when I bent over to tie my shoes.” That’s not what the X-rays tell us!  In this view the affected bones have lost their individuality and ability to move.

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The Prognosis

Some patients who begin chiropractic care in Phase One discover a restoration of their spinal curves and improved range of motion. Success with Phase Two patients is less predictable and depends on many factors. While we can do little after decades of neglect with Phase Three cases, we instead turn our attention to those areas of the spine that have not yet been lost to the process.

It’s impossible to predict what effect, chiropractic care will have on slowing, stopping or reversing this process. Nor can a particular phase be used to predict how much care will be needed.

Suffering From Arthritis Pain

We Can Help!

Call Us Today 703-912-7822