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Age Gracefully with Chiropractic
By Jamie L. Valcourt, D.C.
What does it mean when someone says that they want to “age gracefully”? We all hope to be in good shape as we age, retaining the physical abilities to continue doing the things we enjoy. For so may people osteoarthritis may prevent them from retaining that energy and strength in their body, particularly in the joints. Osteoarthritis, or OA, can often be treated with much success using chiropractic care.
What causes osteoarthritis?
OA is most commonly caused by past trauma to the joint. This trauma could be a serious injury or the result of repetitive small injuries. This could also be due to abnormally formed joints. This is called secondary OA due to the fact that it is a result of prior damage to the joint. If no trauma can be diagnosed it is called primary OA, what we call degenerative arthritis. This is the arthritis that is considered to come with age. OA is often found to run in families, suggesting hereditary factors as well. Degenerative arthritis doesn’t necessarily come with age. It just happens to be that it is a slow process, therefore becoming symptomatic with age. Physical inactivity will also contribute to OA and we all suffer from natural wear and tear of our joints.
What actually happens inside a joint with OA?
Regardless of the cause, OA basically occurs the same way in the joint. The fluid in the joint space decreases which increases the incidence of damage to the cartilage surfaces in the joint. The fluid in the joint space is what lubricates the surfaces of the cartilage which covers the surface of the bone. If there is less lubrication there is increased friction in the joint. The cartilage will begin to flake off or break off in little pieces. This is what causes the crackling sounds in joints. This internal damage to the joint causes the soft tissues around the joint to become irritated and this will often cause swelling. Both processes can cause pain. In severe cases, the ligaments will become lax, the muscles weak, and the joint becomes unstable. Bony growth begins as the body is trying to stabilize the joint. This would severely limit the motion of the joint.
How can chiropractic care help?
Chiropractic care can help keep the joints properly aligned, thereby eliminating uneven stress on the joints of the low back, hips, knees, shoulders etc. Properly aligned joints are under less stress and therefore function more efficiently. Chiropractic adjustments can help restore the lost range of motion of the joints which will help improve flexibility, strength, and endurance. All of this can be accomplished while also lessening the pain arthritis often causes.
Of course, there are limitations to any form of treatment. Different forms and stages of arthritis respond to chiropractic care differently. Only a chiropractor can determine how beneficial chiropractic adjustments can be for your individual needs. Sometimes a case is too advanced and the joint is too unstable to be able to withstand chiropractic adjustments. In that case, the chiropractor can help to relieve the symptoms of the disease and often times the simple decrease in pain works to provide numerous benefits to the patients overall well-being.
Is chiropractic care enough?
Chiropractic care alone is beneficial enough in itself, but there are other factors and treatments to be considered. Being overweight and lack of exercise are very common causes of arthritis, especially in the knees. Improvement of diet and exercise can be very beneficial to arthritis sufferers. Many of us have poor postural and sleep habits that may need to be addressed. There are also some vitamin and mineral supplements that have been reported to be very successful in helping with arthritis pain. A chiropractor can work with you to take all of these factors into account to determine the most appropriate course of treatment for your particular needs.
Chiropractic care really can help you to age gracefully. When the joints in the body are healthy and free from pain we are free to continue to do the activities we enjoy or even make it easier just carrying the laundry up the stairs. So many arthritis sufferers believe that arthritis is just an inevitable part of life, and so is the pain, but this need not be the case. When your joints are more flexible, healthier, and retain the full range of motion they were always meant to have, you will literally age more gracefully. Don’t let arthritis slow you down! Age gracefully with chiropractic.
Jamie L. Valcourt, D.C.
Dr. Jamie Valcourt graduated from Dickinson College in Carlisle Pennsylvania with a bachelor’s degree in Biology and Sociology. She continued on to Palmer College of Chiropractic in Davenport Iowa to earn her Doctor of Chiropractic degree. She has been practicing in her home town of Fall River, MA for three years. She opened up her own office, Valcourt Chiropractic, just over a year ago. She is also trained in the healing art of Reiki.
For more information about chiropractic, or chiropractic while pregnant, please call me at (508) 235-1050 or email me at dr.jamie@ValcourtChiropractic.com
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