To get straight to the point, YES, the pain and dysfunction caused by spinal arthritis CAN improve! Arthritis (degenerative disc disease and degenerative joint disease) can be prevented, and worsening of the degeneration can be avoided.
Have you ever wondered how some 60, 70, 80 year olds are still playing hard at life, running, jumping, and weight-lifting, when others can barely stand up from a chair without help? A lot of factors are involved, but in those active, vibrant folks we would likely find a better-aligned spine that remains strong and healthy. We’ve seen 70-80 year old patients’ x-rays with minimal spinal arthritis, and we’ve see some with very severe deterioration. What is the difference?
In those with moderate to severe arthritis, there have likely been decades of poor alignment in the spine and body, leading to faulty spinal biomechanics. These faulty biomechanics will lead to excess loading in an area over a long period of time, causing degenerative disc disease. Areas in the spine that take on more of the loading will break down faster than areas under normal loading. The most important thing to understand is that there is resultant pressure on the spinal cord and nerves when the spine is breaking down this way. The outcome of this is pain, dysfunction, stiffness, and we would argue a much poorer quality of life.
While cases of severe spinal arthritis may not be corrected even with the best evidence-based corrective chiropractic care, supporting the spine and nerve system is of paramount importance to preserve function and mobility as much as possible. Mild to moderate spinal arthritis can be successfully cared for by a corrective Chiropractor, and here at the Hazeldean Family Chiropractic Clinic, we see improvements every week!
If you have any questions about the health or alignment of your spine or that of your loved ones, we are always here to help! Drs. Erin McLaughlin and Pierre Paradis are here to help. If you live or work in Kanata and the surrounding area, contact us today or give us a call at (613) 831-9665.