"The key to quick results with chiropractic is in finding the right chirporactor, one whose style and technique best matches the specific needs of the individual patient"

What is Arthritis?

Arthritis is one of the most pervasive diseases in the United States and is the leading cause of disability. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention one out of every three Americans (an estimated 70 million people) is affected by one of the more than 100 types of arthritis.

Arthritis is a term that includes a group of disorders that affect your joints and muscles. Arthritis symptoms include joint pain, inflammation and limited movement of joints. When a joint is inflamed it may be swollen, tender, warm to the touch or red. Surrounding each joint is a protective capsule holding a lubricating fluid to aid in motion. Cartilage, a slippery smooth substance, covers most joints to assure an even, fluid motion of the joint. With joint arthritis, the cartilage may be damaged, narrowed and lost by a degenerative process or by inflammation making movement painful.

What are the symptoms?

There are many different signs and symptoms of arthritis, but mainly pain, stiffness, or swelling around a joint for more than two weeks is indicative of arthritis. These symptoms may come up suddenly or slowly over time and may also include sleeplessness, fatigue, depression, and muscle aches.

Many people will experience some difficulty functioning at home, at work or at play because of joint pain, stiffness and restricted movement. A lot of people find that impairment of mobility is more distressing to them than arthritis pain.

By seeking chiropractic care, you can start a treatment plan that will help protect your joints and lessen the arthritis pain. You can also start to protect your joints by avoiding excess stress. Staying at your ideal weight will also help relieve pressure on your hips and knees. A major goal of all arthritis treatment is the preservation or improvement of daily tasks.

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of arthritis in the United States, affecting an estimated 21 million adults. OA begins with the breakdown of joint cartilage, resulting in pain and stiffness.

OA commonly affects the joints of the fingers, knees, hips, and spine. Other joints affected less frequently include the wrists, elbows, shoulders, and ankles. When OA is found in a less-frequently affected joint, there is usually a history of injury or unusual stress to that joint.

Work-related repetitive injury and physical trauma may contribute to the development of OA. For example, if you have a strenuous job that requires repetitive bending, kneeling, or squatting, you may be at high risk for OA of the knee.

Arthritis of the spine

Subluxation degeneration (spinal arthritis) is related to the same process the body uses to mend bone. The body attempts to fuse the adjacent spinal bones together. Like the mineral deposits in a cave, if given enough time, adjacent spinal bones can fuse:

• Regardless of age, when spinal damage goes uncorrected, the body deposits calcium on the surface of adjacent bones that aren't moving properly.
• If neglected long enough, this splinting effect can result in complete fusion. This process is called subluxations degeneration and can occur throughout the spine.
• Chiropractic adjustments can help prevent subluxation degeneration.

The three phases of spinal decay:

Near Normal

This x-ray is a side view of a “near normal” neck.  Compare this spine with the ones you will see below on this page.  The forward curve of the neck shown here is normal.  This curve helps to absorb shock.  Notice how each of the disc spaces between the bones are thick and even.  This too is normal.  Also make note of the clear and well defined borders of each vertebrae in this picture.  These types of findings are normal in the neck.  However, normal vertebrae in other parts of the spine have similar characteristics to what we see here.  When subluxations occur and are left uncorrected, changes occur that cause damage to the structure and function of the spine.  As a result, one will experience nerve pressure and the problems caused by improper nerve supply

Phase I

This is usually seen as loss of motion and malfunction of the spine. Normal spinal curves, and disc spacing are altered. Because the body is so adaptable, this early phase exists without warning of pain or other symptoms. If left uncorrected, the degeneration continues.

Phase II

Bone spurs and abnormal bony growths distort the shape and function of the vertebrae.

Recognized on X-ray views of the spine by visible bone spurs and rough edges of vertebrae. Soft tissues, such as discs and ligaments degenerate from the lack of normal movement. Again, pain or other symptoms may or may not be present.

Phase III

After years of neglect, the improperly functioning spinal joints often fuse together.

A lifetime of neglect may cause the eventual fusion of the malfunctioning joints, permanent nerve damage, and soft tissue degeneration are prevalent. Reduced motion, impaired nervous system function, diminish one's quality of life.

Warning - Disclaimer:

The information in this website may not necessarily be the expressed opinion of Standard Process, Inc. and also may not be substantiated by the FDA. The information presented herein is not intended to be a substitute for appropriate medical care or prescription medications. It is not the desire or intention of this practitioner to diagnose and treat disease, but to support the underlying nutritional debts, deficits, and imbalances of dis-ease. This information is not to be used for self-diagnosis and self-treatment, but for educational purposes only. This information is provided with the understanding that the author is not liable for the misconception or misuse of information included. The author of this manual shall have neither liability nor responsibility to any person or entity with respect to any loss, damage or injury caused directly or indirectly by the information contained in this manuscript.