Disc Degeneration
As we age, our spine and joints undergo changes, including a process called degeneration. Although more common in older individuals, these changes can begin happening as early as our 30's!
Bone and joint degeneration is shown here at the left. The top disc shows a normal healthy disc with a normal healthy, fully functioning nerve. Below that is a degenerated disc with a pinched nerve coming out of the joint space. The two bones, or vertebral bodies begin to compress on the disc and joint space. In turn, the bone also puts pressure on the spinal nerve that exits next to the disc.
Symptoms such as pain, stiffness and radiating or numbing and tingling are all common. These symptoms are commonly experienced in the arms, legs, neck and back, however, they can also present as hip, knee or wrist pain. Joint degeneration can cause the person to feel fatigued, have less energy, poor sleep habits and a weakened ability to fight infections.
Throughout the past decades more research has been focused on arthritis, especially chiropractic care and its effects on joint degeneration.
Chiropractic care focuses on adjusting these areas of degeneration to help repair the area, including the compressed disc and pinched nerve. Chiropractic adjustments help to increase the disc space, take pressure off the nerves and restore normal joint function and range of motion.
People report having an increase in range of motion, a decrease in stiffness and pain and increased energy after their adjustments. In fact, in a recent study, 90% of seniors who utilize regular chiropractic care report their health as good to excellent!
A few other recent studies found the following:
- regular chiropractic patients spend 50% less time in nursing homes and 40% less time in hospitals compared to non-chiropractic patients.
- falls occur in about 90% of non-chiropractic patients, compared to only 20% in regular chiropractic patients.
- 75% of chiropractic users report engaging in regular physical exercise, compared to a staggering 20% in non-chiropractic users!
The image below shows various progressions of spinal degeneration. Sullivan Chiropractic has an x-ray suite located directly in the office, so that we can evaluate and measure your spine. Knowing which phase you are in allows us to develop a specific and detailed treatment plan for the best outcomes possible!
Bone and joint degeneration is shown here at the left. The top disc shows a normal healthy disc with a normal healthy, fully functioning nerve. Below that is a degenerated disc with a pinched nerve coming out of the joint space. The two bones, or vertebral bodies begin to compress on the disc and joint space. In turn, the bone also puts pressure on the spinal nerve that exits next to the disc.
Symptoms such as pain, stiffness and radiating or numbing and tingling are all common. These symptoms are commonly experienced in the arms, legs, neck and back, however, they can also present as hip, knee or wrist pain. Joint degeneration can cause the person to feel fatigued, have less energy, poor sleep habits and a weakened ability to fight infections.
Throughout the past decades more research has been focused on arthritis, especially chiropractic care and its effects on joint degeneration.
Chiropractic care focuses on adjusting these areas of degeneration to help repair the area, including the compressed disc and pinched nerve. Chiropractic adjustments help to increase the disc space, take pressure off the nerves and restore normal joint function and range of motion.
People report having an increase in range of motion, a decrease in stiffness and pain and increased energy after their adjustments. In fact, in a recent study, 90% of seniors who utilize regular chiropractic care report their health as good to excellent!
A few other recent studies found the following:
- regular chiropractic patients spend 50% less time in nursing homes and 40% less time in hospitals compared to non-chiropractic patients.
- falls occur in about 90% of non-chiropractic patients, compared to only 20% in regular chiropractic patients.
- 75% of chiropractic users report engaging in regular physical exercise, compared to a staggering 20% in non-chiropractic users!
The image below shows various progressions of spinal degeneration. Sullivan Chiropractic has an x-ray suite located directly in the office, so that we can evaluate and measure your spine. Knowing which phase you are in allows us to develop a specific and detailed treatment plan for the best outcomes possible!
