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You don't get old and stiff, you get stiff and then you get old!
You don't get old and stiff, you get stiff and then you get old.
Have you ever asked what is actually causing you spinal problem?
I learned a long time ago that the quality of your life is determined by the quality of questions you ask. One of my major jobs as a wellness doctor is to get my patients to ask better questions. To get my patients to go from "What do I have an how do I treat it?" to "What caused this and what do I need to do differently?".
I frequently get patients that tell me "My medical doctor said I have disc degeneration or I've been told I have a bone spur." My reply is "But has anyone ever explained to you why that's happening?" You don't just get arthritis or degeneration with old age, if you did you'd have the same problem in all your joints, not just some of them.
Osteoarthritis is caused by two main things, lack of joint movement and abnormal posture.
Videman, T. Experimental models of osteoarthritis: the role of immobilization. Clinical Biomechanics 1987
"Evidence shows beyond a reasonable doubt that immobilization is not only a cause of osteoarthritis but that it delay healing."
If you sit for a living or sit more than 3 hrs a day I can guarantee you have several joints that are immobile and not moving properly.
"If immobilization, irrespective of its cause, cannot be avoided, it would be therapeutically logical to take every possible step to limit its extent and duration."
This means you actively work on decreasing joint immobilization. This is what we do with Chiropractic adjustments. If it's not moving its dying.
"Scar tissue begins to be deposited immediately upon immobilization and serves to further decrease mobility. Within two weeks eburnation (bone depositing) in bone is detectable and radiographic evidence of joint space narrowing, osteophyte formation (bone spuring), and subchondral sclerosis is apparent."
This means your spinal problems start early and develop fast, two weeks is all it takes to see changes. Knowing this why would anyone put off care knowing it will only get worse?
So if you know that joint immobility is one of the major causes of arthritis and degeneration we know we can prevent it. So the what do I have to do part is simple: Get regular Chiropractic adjustments and do some daily spinal exercises to keep joints moving the best you can. It's no different that getting regular dental checkups but also brushing and flossing daily.
Dr. Chris Gubbels D.C., C.C.W.P.
