Benjamin A Horning DC – Laguna Hills Chiropractor, CA

Osteoarthritis (OA), often referred to as degenerative joint disease, is one of the most common forms of arthritis. It primarily affects the cartilage—the slippery tissue that covers the ends of bones in a joint, allowing smooth movement. As cartilage wears down, bones begin to rub against each other, leading to pain, swelling, and reduced mobility. It mainly targets joints like the knees, hips, and spine but can also impact the hands, feet, and neck.

There is no cure for osteoarthritis, there are several strategies that exist for managing its symptoms and slowing its progression. Chiropractic care is a most definitely promising as preventative approach to OA.

 What is Osteoarthritis?

​Cartilage in a joint begins to break down and over time, the wearing down can lead to bone spurs, joint inflammation, and further deterioration of the joint structure. The risk factors for OA include aging, obesity, joint injury, genetics, and the constant use of certain joints.

 The Role of Chiropractic Care

 Chiropractic care focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of mechanical disorders of the musculoskeletal system, especially the spine. Here’s how chiropractic intervention might help prevent or manage osteoarthritis:

1. Improving Spinal Alignment:
   • Misalignments in the spine can contribute to uneven wear on joints. Chiropractors use spinal manipulations or adjustments to correct these misalignments, which could potentially reduce the risk of osteoarthritis in spinal joints by ensuring balanced movement and load distribution.
2. Enhancing Joint Mobility:
   • Chiropractic adjustments can increase the ROM (Range or Motion) in joints. This could help in maintaining joint health. By promoting better mobility, chiropractic care can prevent the stiffness that often precedes or accompanies osteoarthritis.
3. Pain Management:
   • Chiropractic care can alleviate pain associated with early stages of OA or conditions that might lead to it. With less pain, people are can stay active, which is good for joint function and preventing further degeneration.
4. Muscle Balance and Strength:
   • A cool things about chiropractors is that they usually incorporate exercises or recommend physical therapy to strengthen muscles around joints. Stronger muscles can support joints better, this takes off a lot of stress placed on cartilage during movement.
5. Preventing Joint Injury:
   • Proper spinal and joint alignment can lower the risk of injuries that might precipitate osteoarthritis. Chiropractic care can help in maintaining proper biomechanics, thus potentially preventing traumatic events that could contribute to OA.
6. Promoting Overall Health:
   • Chiros often give advice on nutrition, and lifestyle changes, and these pieces of advice can contribute to weight management, which is super important since excess body weight is a significant contributor for knee and hip osteoarthritis in heavier people.

​Conclusion

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a complicated condition, but getting ahead of it with things like chiropractic care can play a big role in management and potentially prevention. Addressing joint health, mobility, and overall body alignment, chiropractic treatment offers a non-invasive option to ease the onset and progression of OA.