How Regular Chiropractic Care Can Halt the Progress of Joint Degeneration

Imagine moving freely and effortlessly—this sense of mobility is crucial for a high-quality life. Unfortunately, spinal joint degeneration can take this away, limiting movement and reducing your ability to live life to its fullest. Many people deal with this kind of degeneration, and often, there's no turning back once it starts.

Joint degeneration comes about for various reasons, but a common culprit is hypo-mobility, which means a joint isn't moving through its full range. This often begins with the joint slipping out of its proper alignment, perhaps due to a physical injury or trauma. If this limited range of motion isn't corrected quickly, the joint may start to degrade permanently.

Chiropractors often talk about subluxation, which is when a spinal vertebra shifts enough to disrupt the central nervous system's functions. Chiropractors aim to detect and correct these subluxations to maintain a healthy, fully functioning nervous system. This involves keeping the spine’s joints mobile and aligned because the health of your entire body is directly linked to the health of your spinal joints.

There used to be a lot of debate among doctors and researchers about how quickly an immobile joint can start degenerating. However, a pivotal study published in the Journal of Clinical Biomechanics back in 1987 showed that joints could begin to incur irreversible damage in as little as two weeks of being immobilized. This discovery underscores the importance of regular spinal maintenance and chiropractic care to minimize the risk of spinal degeneration from subluxation.

Regular chiropractic visits are not just about making adjustments when there's pain but are a proactive way to keep your spine and nervous system in top shape, similar to how people manage their weight, blood pressure, or dental health. Often, the early stages of spinal degeneration are painless, just like the initial signs of a cavity. Interestingly, it’s estimated that around 40% of people in their twenties already have some degree of joint degeneration, though they might not even be aware of it.

Incorporating regular chiropractic checkups into your health care regimen can be a game-changer for long-term wellness, potentially reducing the need for more intensive medical treatments later. Taking care of your spine with chiropractic care is a key step towards a healthier future for you and your family.

Clinical Biomechanics :  November 1987
"Experimental Models of Osteoarthritis: the role of immobalization." T Videman