Spinal Decay – Its Not Just Arthritis!

Arthritis – More than just joint pain

Our bodies response to uncorrected joint stress or bad motion is to lay down calcium in the faulty joint. This deposit of calcium is the response of the bone being under excessive stress. If left untreated, it can ultimately fuse the joint together causing permanent immobility. This slow process is called by many as arthritis, but in fact it is a form of joint decay!

Joint decay or arthritis is a slow degenerative process that only gets worse with time. Unfortunately, many people fail to recognize the process because initially there may be no symptoms.  In fact, most people only discover this arthritis when the damage to the joint has begun to affect other structures such as nerves or they are noticing severely limited or painful motion.

This degenerative arthritis typically starts in one of two ways: some sort of trauma or repetitive faulty body movements. It is not uncommon for the initial stages to be set up due to a car accident, sports injury or slip and fall.

Regarding spinal decay, the first phase typically demonstrates a loss of normal alignment of the spinal bones.  If there are any symptoms at this stage it is typically a mild loss of normal motion, such as turning the head or leaning side to side in the low back.

Left uncorrected, the body responds to the increased joint stress by depositing calcium or bone spurs in and around the affected joints. This can further affect the joints mobility and also the surrounding ligaments and muscles. Without care, the condition will continue to degenerate and could eventually lead to significant nerve related pain if the additional bone spurs begin to irritate related nerves.

This decay process of arthritis is commonly thought to be and “old age” problem. This is far from the truth: we have seen decay in the spinal area in patients as young as 17! It is however, the result of longstanding joint dysfunction.

Since chiropractic adjustments directly affect a joints alignment and mobility, chiropractic care is one of the best treatments, both preventative and therapeutic for joint decay or arthritis.  While severe arthritis cannot be reversed, chiropractic care is most effective at providing relief to the damaged joints.

Think you have arthritis or joint decay? Call us today at (314) 731-4383 to schedule and evaluation.

As a 1984 graduate of Life Chiropractic College, Dr. Martin Schmaltz has years of helping those who have been injured in auto accidents. He has extensive training and study in how the injury happens as well as the specific treatments and documentation to help his patients. He has a great working relationship with many attorneys in the St Louis area and is know for his detailed notes and diagnosis of the injured patient.