Osteoarthrits or OA is the most common form of arthritis.  Characterized by the degeneration of articular cartilage and underlying bone, as well as, overgrowth of bone at the margins of joints, it is also known as degenerative joint disease.  27 million American adults (age 25 and older) and more than 33% of Americans 65 or older are estimated to be afflicted with OA.  Knees, hands, and hips are most commonly the site of pain, swelling, and stiffness caused by Osteoarthritis.

While restoring and maintaining movement in the spine is the central goal of chiropractic treatments, keeping the body moving is also a great way to control OA.  Arthritis Today reports, “activity of all kinds is the best non-drug treatment for improving pain and function,” while “the Arthritis Foundation believes “Moving is the Best Medicine” when it comes to Fighting OA.”  Either of these resources is a great place to learn about how to safely get yourself moving.

The Four Mile Creek Greenway, Matthews recently opened in April 2011.  This pavement and boardwalk greenway now makes areas of downtown Matthews, NC easily accessible to surrounding neighborhoods for walking, biking, and more.  As cooler weather make the outdoors more inviting, get out and get your body moving.  For additional strategies to reduce your risk of Osteoarthritis, visit FIGHTARTHRITSPAIN.ORG.

If you already suffer from OA symptoms, home remedies include the use of Flax seed oil, Epsom salt, Cinnamon, Turmeric, and Ginger, among others.  For dosing and additional remedies jump to Arthritis Home Remedies.  Keeping joints or the spine and the rest of the body moving well with Chiropractic care is another drug-free, conservative approach to controlling the pain, swelling, stiffness, and lost range-of-motion typical of Osteoarthritis.

Remember to listen to your body.  If exercise causes sharp or very strong pain during or within a couple hours of exercising, then your activity may be too strenuous.  Reduce the intensity of your workout or plan to see your physician.

It seems that Osteoarthritis is a natural part of aging, especially after age 45.  Exercise benefits extend beyond the joints to our heart, lung, brain and beyond.  If you are not yet affected by OA, don’t wait until you have pain or stiffness to become active.  With many easy ways to start moving your body, why not get started today?!

Proactive vs Reactionary Care

There seems to be two main groups of patients in my office. The first group always has an appointment scheduled and comes into the office for spinal adjustments on a regular basis, while the other population presents for care when they are in crisis.  These two groups illustrate two different models for healthcare.  The regularly scheduled patients are proactive and present for care to maintain their well-being.  Patients who present only when they are in pain represent care which is reactionary – this is how most Americans utilize healthcare.  Reactionary or crisis care means needing a root canal when flossing, brushing and regular cleanings would have preserved healthy teeth and gums; requiring ER services for any number of life-threatening conditions preventable with good diet and exercise; letting our automobile engines seize instead of regularly changing the oil; or visiting the doctor when back pain is too great to bear.

The Eventuality of Back Pain & Arthritis

Estimates indicate that about 80% of people will deal with significant low back pain at some point in their lives.  And a great many of us will eventually experience arthritis pain and stiffness.  Just witness the huge proliferation in products to treat joint discomfort, low back and arthritis pain as a testament to this expanding problem.  From the New England Journal of Medicine, a review found that a clear diagnosis could not be made in near 85% of low back injury cases^[1].  After careful examination, abnormalities could not be found.  Another study, with emphasis on imaging, determined that 97% of low back pain was mechanical in nature^[2].  Maybe degeneration is not pathological, but normal…

Pain, injuries and accelerated degeneration are the result of biomechanical stress.  Indeed, Wolff’s Law tells us that any bone, subjected to prolonged biomechanical stress will adapt to that stress^[3].  This is the same process that causes premature degenerative changes, osteoarthritis, and loss of joint motion.

How Do We Combat These Changes?

With treatments to resolve structural imbalances and support proper biomechanics.  Chiropractic maintenance care is effective because it allows patients to preserve good spinal biomechanics and smooth, pain-free joint mobility.

We know how to abide by a more sensible, preventative model.  We follow a similar paradigm in the maintenance of our teeth and automobiles.  Unfortunately, our spines are not something that can be replaced.  Start the new year off right and resolve to keep your spine happy and healthy for years to come.

Call Matthews Chiropractic Center today to schedule a spinal biomechanical evaluation and get on the road to wellness.

1. Deyo RA, Weinstein JN.  Low Back Pain. N Engl J Med. 2001 Feb 1;344(5):363-70. [↩]
2. Jarvik JG, Deyo RA.  Diagnostic evaluation of low back pain with emphasis on imaging. Ann Intern Med. 2002 Oct 1;137(7):586-97. [↩]
3. “Wolff’s Law.”  Stedman’s Medical Dictionary.  26th ed.  1995.  Print. [↩]