When we think of arthritis, we often imagine swollen and aching joints in the hands and knees of an elderly person. But did you know that arthritis can also occur, and often does, in the spine? Spinal arthritis can be very painful and debilitating.
Spinal osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease, meaning that it continues to get worse over time. It occurs when the cartilage of the joints and discs in the neck and lower back wears down. Typically patients that are diagnosed with osteoarthritis of the spine are older than 45. However, chiropractors do see patients under the age of 45 with degenerative arthritis. This can be caused by a number of reasons that usually involve some sort of trauma. These occurrences might include:
- A car wreck, including a seemingly mild fender bender
- A sports injury
- A birth canal injury
- Constant, repetitive motion that stresses the spinal canal
This degenerative condition is diagnosed with an x-ray that can be taken and analyzed at Carlson Chiropractic Center. If the x-ray reveals that chiro care is not appropriate for the condition, the patient may be referred for further testing and evaluation.
What can you do to help keep the pain for spinal arthritis from getting worse? Make sure you have a chiropractor assess your injury if you knowingly have one occur. Regular chiropractic care can help alleviate the severe pain, loss of sensation, weakness, and tenderness of osteoarthritis. Correcting alignment and mobility of the spine will also help degeneration from happening so quickly. Don’t let an “old person” ailment and immobility make you start acting like an “old person.” Let the experts at Carlson Chiropractic diagnose and treat your debilitating spinal pain.
LEARN ABOUT SPINAL DECOMPRESSION TODAY!
