According to the CDC, over 35 million Americans suffer from osteoarthritis. This is a degenerative condition that can affect any weight-bearing joint in the body, but it becomes particularly troublesome when osteoarthritis affects the spine.

Some of the symptoms of osteoarthritis include:

• Pain
• Stiffness
• Reduced range of motion
• Swelling in the affected joint area

At Carolinas Chiropractic, we recognize the impact that osteoarthritis can have on your daily life, but many of our patients are surprised to learn just how involved the spine is in the development of osteoarthritis symptoms as well as the worsening of the condition.

In this post, we’ll explore the connection between osteoarthritis and your spine, and you’ll learn how chiropractic treatments can help you manage symptoms and enhance your quality of life.

Understanding Osteoarthritis and Its Relationship to Movement and Weight Distribution

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease that develops due to the breakdown of cartilage. Hyaline or articular cartilage is the flexible material that cushions the ends of joints, and without it, your bone tissue ends up rubbing together.

This can lead to pain, stiffness, swelling, and reduced range of motion in affected joints found in the spine and elsewhere in the body. Because the affected joints bear weight, everyday movements become difficult and may cause further joint damage.

As osteoarthritis increasingly affects weight-bearing joints over time, it can cause you to shift your weight or walk or sit in unnatural positions. When osteoarthritis affects the spine, it can lead to changes in posture and positioning as individuals try to compensate for pain and stiffness.

Positional Compensation Continues a Vicious Cycle

Unfortunately, this becomes a catch-22 as you shift your body’s weight and place more pressure on joints already affected by osteoarthritis. This then causes additional wear on your joints, furthering damage and increasing pain.

Over time, things tend to get worse as you find yourself having to compensate more and more to alleviate symptoms. Each time you do this, however, the wear placed on already-compromised joints increases, and the cycle continues.

The Importance of Posture in Osteoarthritis Management

Maintaining proper posture is crucial for individuals with osteoarthritis as it can help alleviate pressure on the joints and reduce pain. Good posture ensures that the spine is properly aligned, distributing weight evenly and minimizing strain on joints affected by osteoarthritis.

Chiropractic Care for Osteoarthritis Relief

At Carolinas Chiropractic, we specialize in providing natural, non-invasive treatments to address spinal osteoarthritis symptoms. Our chiropractic offices in Waxhaw and Pineville offer treatment for spine concerns that include osteoarthritis, and through spine adjustments and lifestyle adjustments, we can help realign the spine and reduce ongoing joint degeneration and pain.

Ways our office helps patients suffering from osteoarthritis:

• We restore normal function to joint complexes through chiropractic care
• We reduce pain and inflammation in joints with our Class IV cold laser. Our approach avoids the use of medications with side effects or risky injections
• We unweight degenerated joints through axial spinal decompression
• We reduce daily wear and tear through lifestyle modifications and specific therapeutic exercises

Find Relief with Carolinas Chiropractic – Contact Our Team Today!

If you’re struggling with osteoarthritis-related pain, contact Carolinas Chiropractic for personalized care. The team at Carolinas Chiropractic is dedicated to helping you get out of pain using drug-free, non-invasive therapies that work with your body to heal damage and restore function.

To schedule a consultation with our chiropractic care team in Waxhaw or Pineville, contact our offices at (704) 243-1010. We’ll work with you to develop a personalized treatment plan tailored to your unique needs and goals.

Sources:

• “Osteoarthritis”, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – https://www.cdc.gov/arthritis/types/osteoarthritis.htm
• “Osteoarthritis”, National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases – https://www.niams.nih.gov/health-topics/osteoarthritis
• “Postural Balance in Individuals…”, National Institutes of Health – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8595483/