A Different Perspective on Arthritis

Who out there believes that developing arthritis is just part of getting old??

Most people think that way, and many in the health care fields perpetuate this notion, which is misleading.

See, the idea that any health condition is because of aging is preposterous. If that were true, then EVERYONE AT A CERTAIN AGE WOULD HAVE THE SAME HEALTH PROBLEMS! Like a ticking time bomb…after 50 years (and only after 50 years), the arthritis bomb explodes and everyone 50 and older suddenly suffers from arthritis! But that’s not how arthritis works…or any health condition, for that matter.

To be clear, my article this month focuses on osteoarthritis. There are many times of arthritis, such as Rheumatoid Arthritis and Psoriatic Arthritis. These are inflammatory types that are auto-immune in nature. I’ll save those for another time. Today, let’s talk about osteoarthritis.

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease. It occurs when the protective cartilage cushioning the ends of the bones wears down. It most commonly affects the joints of the hands, knees, hips, and spine. People who have osteoarthritis often have pain, stiffness, loss of flexibility and range of motion, swelling, and other symptoms. It’s considered a “wear and tear” condition, meaning that it comes about due to excessive load on the joints.

Now, I just challenged the notion that developing arthritis is just part of getting old. So many believe this and then resign themselves to a future full of worsening pain, stiffness, and immobility. Older age is listed as a risk factor; however, it is not that simple. Other primary risk factors include joint injuries, repeated stress, obesity, and bone deformities. All of these risk factors have one thing in common: ABNORMAL OR EXCESSIVE LOAD ON THE JOINT.

The reason that osteoarthritis develops is because the affected joint isn’t working properly, or because it is being overused or misused. If the joint is not in proper alignment or otherwise cared for, it will break down faster than if it was taken care of and in proper alignment. It’s the improper function that causes the cartilage to breakdown, and the longer the joint goes in that state, the worse it gets.

Make sense when I say that arthritis is not part of getting old. In fact, I’m going to be a little radical here and say that arthritis is actually a problem of youth! It takes YEARS for arthritis to develop. When our joints misalign or subluxate (as with the spine), it takes only days for degeneration (aka. Arthritis) to set in. Then, as we ignore our joint health as we age, the worse the arthritis gets. Once we get “old” it’s too late to fix arthritis—we can only manage it.

You can prevent arthritis. By taking care of your joints, you can stop it from happening. You can even slow down the progression of arthritis that is already there. As a chiropractor, I see people with arthritis every day. Through regular chiropractic adjustments, I help joints move easier, relieving pain and improving function. The results are nothing short of miraculous.

The key, though, is to start now. Don’t wait until you have it. Everyone can benefit from chiropractic—now and into the future. And the sooner you get adjusted, the better your life and longevity—free from arthritis.