The first question that must be asked when discussing any disease process is its etiology.  What are the conditions and mechanisms that allow disease to thrive and cause dysfunction leading to pain?  Today we will be discussing osteoarthritis due to its prevalence in society.  It is said that currently, one in every five Americans has osteoarthritis (OA) and 90% of the population will get OA sometime in the course of their lifetime.  One of the most common places for OA is the spine and it is something that I as a Chiropractor see every day in practice.  When arthritis affects the spine it is called spondylosis.  OA can also be labeled degenerative arthritis or degenerative joint disease.  Many names same disease.  OA is a severe cause of pain and disability for many.   Let’s start with some physiology behind joint health.  Joints in the human body have very poor blood circulation and relay heavily on motion to provide proper nutrition and biochemical exchange.  Decreased motion or hypo-mobility is at the heart of a majority of osteoarthritic patients pain.  Many individuals suffering with arthritis must realize that articular health is maximized through motion and the best environment for arthritis to thrive is in misaligned, hypo-mobile and subluxated joints.   As a chiropractor we are trained in detecting and correcting these misaligned joints called subluxations.  The chiropractor must also be aware that arthritic joints also cause their corresponding muscles to shrink.  Therefore, stretching and exercise should be an integral part of the treatment in order to obtain optimal therapeutic value.   There have been many promising studies done on spinal manipulation and its ability to reduce spinal DJD and disability.  Spinal joints which are adjusted and free from fixation can move optimally through their full ranges of motion thus providing free biochemical exchange and impeding degenerative changes.  All this being said there must be the proper biochemical’s in the body for the exchange to occur.  The building blocks of joint health must be present to prevent premature degeneration and decrease any inflammation that is present.  By addressing arthritis with these conservative methods one will address degeneration and improve function hence decreasing pain.

1.     Glucosamine hydrochloride

2.     Chondroitin Sulfates (look for purified sources)

3.     Antioxidants

4.     MSM

5.     Proteases (such as Bromelain and Papain)

6.     Omega 3-Fatty Acids

7.     Herbs with Anti-Inflammatory Properties (Arnica, Boswellia, Feverfew, Green Tea,Turmeric and Willow Bark to name a few)

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