If you have ever suffered from back pain, neck pain, or joint pain, you’re not alone. These conditions can cause painful, irritated, inflamed joints that make it difficult, for those suffering from the condition, to move and perform normal functions of daily living. If these conditions persist over time, it is likely they will result in a condition called Osteoarthritis; the most common chronic joint disorder.
The incidence of osteoarthritis is increasing each year due to the increased use of technology, the rising rate of obesity, and the growing size of the elderly population. It is likely that you or someone you know may be experiencing the signs and symptoms of osteoarthritis.
Clinically, osteoarthritis is defined as the “the […] outcome of a range of disorders that result in structural and functional failure of synovial joints.”1
Structurally, the human body has 3 types of joints: fibrous, cartilaginous, and synovial. Fibrous joints are primarily made of fibrous tissue, are usually immobile, and for example connect the bones in the skull. Cartilaginous joints partially consist of cartilage, are semi-mobile, and include the intervertebral discs. Synovial joints are made of a sac of fluid surrounding the ends of two bones, are highly mobile, and include the joints of your fingers, knees, and the joints that give movement to the spinal column.
All three types of joints mentioned above have the potential to develop osteoarthritis if they are not properly aligned, are moving improperly, or are poorly hydrated. When any of these conditions persist over time, joints begin to deteriorate. The signs include inflammation (synovial swelling), cartilage breakdown, osteophytosis (bone remodeling), sclerosis, and pain. After many years of dysfunction, the bone-remodeling process can be viewed on X-Ray images, and the patient is diagnosed with osteoarthritis, an irreversible condition. Though X-Ray imaging is the primary method for diagnosing osteoarthritis, there are earlier signs of dysfunction.
What causes joints to malfunction?
1.Trauma: as in the case of a small car accident, sports incident, or fall which causes a misalignment or dislocation of a joint.
2. Micro-trauma:the joint malfunctions slowly due to minor positional changes over time; for example misaligning the joints of the neck by looking down at a cell phone or tablet many times a day, sitting a computer desk for hours each day, sleeping on the same side of the body each night, repetitive movements, or lifting of heavy objects without proper techique.
In the latter examples above, joint malfunction and deterioration is often unnoticed by the patient for some time, but eventually produces symptoms as severity increases. Typically, once the patient begins to experience pain, soreness, weakness, numbness, decreased range of motion, or swelling, they often seek medical advice.
Traditional methods of treatment for joint or back pain include steroid injections directly into the joints and/or oral anti-inflammatory drugs. Though these therapies will often provide temporary relief, the steroidal drugs quickly reduce the bodies ability to produce healthy inflammatory chemical factors, and eventually the side-effects of these drugs lower bone density and make the patient more susceptible to fractures. After several rounds of steroidal injections and drugs, the patient is usually recommended a joint replacement. Traditional therapies do not address the cause of osteoarthritis, and in an article published in the British Medical Journal it clearly states that “non-pharmacological treatments should be tried first.”1
How can I prevent and/or reduce the symptoms of osteoarthritis?
Firstly, if you have back pain, neck pain, or joint pain, it is usually a sign that you already have malfunctioning joints. If left untreated, permanent arthritic changes are likely to occur. However, if properly treated, you can remove the dysfunction, re-align the joints, and prevent or largely delay the onset of the osteoarthritis.
Chiropractors are the doctors trained to detect joint dysfunction which is clinically referred to as “subluxation”. Chiropractors are commonly associated with the spine due to the high number of synovial joints located in the spinal column. Chiropractors are also capable of diagnosing many common disorders including subluxations in the joints of the spine and extremities (arms/legs). It is not necessary to have a referral to visit a chiropractor. After an extensive examination including X-Ray imaging, postural and neurological tests, if the signs of joint malfunction are detected, a plan of treatment is recommended. After a treatment plan is completed, simple and quick maintenance checkups are all that is necessary to prevent osteoarthritis. No prescription drugs or injections are necessary to prevent and treat subluxations. For individuals that have already developed arthritic changes, pain, swelling, or muscle soreness, regular chiropractic treatments may greatly reduce or eliminate these symptoms.
To learn more about how you can benefit from chiropractic treatments, or to reduce back, neck, or other joint pain, reduce swelling, and/or prevent osteoarthritis, call 787-462-6210 or visit chirocean.com today. Chirocean offers on-site chiropractic services in the Metro San Juan area.
References:
1. Nuki G. Osteoarthritis: a problem of joint failure. Z Rheumatol 1999;58: 142-7.