Osteoarthritis is an extremely common cause of back pain and neck pain among our patients in Aloha and Beaverton. As you age, the cartilage between the joints in your spine can start to lose their water content and wear down. This may cause the joints to rub against one another or lead to the development of bone spurs that directly impinge the surrounding spinal nerves.
Although there is no cure for arthritis, there are treatments that can slow the progression of cartilage degeneration and joint destruction. Our Salem chiropractic care can relieve pressure on any pinched nerves, prevent the buildup of harmful scar tissue, and promote blood flow to the inflamed area in your spine. We also frequently use physical therapy in treating our Salem patients with arthritis, since exercise is a proven way to prevent pain and stiffness in patients with arthritis.
A recent case study examined the effects of chiropractic care for a type of neck arthritis called alanto-axial osteoarthritis. The alanto-axial joint is located in the upper part of the cervical spine between the first and second vertebrae.
The case study included ten patients with alanto-axial osteoarthritis (AO) who were treated with neck adjustments and mechanical mobilization device therapy. Approximately 80% of patients had either "good" or "excellent" clinical outcomes as a result of their chiropractor care. The average patient had a 70% reduction in pain scores and 90% of patients had clinical improvements in range of motion.
Other research has also demonstrated that chiropractic care can alleviate symptoms of osteoarthritis in the knee, hip, and hands. Remember you don't have to simply accept pain as a necessary part of aging. Our Beaverton chiropractors can relieve chronic pain and reduce the symptoms of osteoarthritis so you can live your life to the fullest. Contact Oregon Medical Centers Care and Rehabilitation in Aloha, OR for an appointment today.
Reference
Yu H, Hou S, Wu W, He X. Upper cervical manipulation combined with mobilization for the treatment of atlantoaxial osteoarthritis: a report of 10 cases. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics 2011;34(2):131-7. doi: 10.1016/j.jmpt.2010.12.005.
