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The 4 Stages of Degenerative Disc Disease

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Degenerative disc disease is a condition marked by the gradual deterioration of the spinal discs, leading to pain and discomfort. While disc degeneration is a natural part of aging, not everyone experiences pain or severe symptoms. Chiropractic care can be an effective, non-invasive approach to managing this condition, offering relief at any stage of its progression.

The 4 Stages of Degenerative Disc Disease

The spine consists of vertebrae cushioned by discs that provide flexibility and support. Over time, or due to injury, these discs can deteriorate, leading to friction, nerve compression, and pain. Below are the four stages of degenerative disc disease, each with its own symptoms and challenges.

Stage 1

In the early stage, individuals may not experience noticeable symptoms. However, subtle changes such as a loss of the natural curvature of the spine can indicate the start of disc degeneration. Even without pain, extra pressure on the spine accelerates wear on the joints, nerves, and vertebrae.

Stage 2

By stage two, disc thinning and bone deformities like bone spurs become more apparent. As the spine’s curvature shifts further, the spinal canal narrows, leading to pain and discomfort that are often noticeable at this stage.

Stage 3

Stage three is marked by pronounced changes in spinal posture and increased pain. Mobility is typically limited, and nerve damage may occur as scar tissue forms. The discs continue to thin, which can worsen bone deformation and lead to chronic pain.

Stage 4

The final stage is the most advanced and is generally irreversible. The discs are extremely thin or may have disappeared altogether. The spine loses most of its flexibility, and pain can be significant. Nerve damage can be severe, and, in some cases, the bones may start to fuse together.

How Chiropractic Can Help with Degenerative Disc Disease

Chiropractic care offers a gentle, non-invasive approach to treating degenerative disc disease. By addressing spinal alignment and relieving pressure on the nerves, chiropractic treatments can help slow the progression of the disease and alleviate pain, even in advanced stages.

Chiropractic Adjustments

Regular adjustments help restore proper alignment, reducing stress on the spine and potentially slowing the disc degradation process. This treatment can provide significant relief and prevent further complications.

Spinal Decompression

Spinal decompression therapy creates space between vertebrae, promoting blood flow and healing. This technique is particularly beneficial when combined with chiropractic adjustments, as it addresses both alignment and decompression.

Take Action Against Degenerative Disc Disease

The sooner you seek treatment for degenerative disc disease, the better your chances for managing symptoms and preventing further progression. To learn more about our clinic click here. Contact our chiropractic team today @ 780-455-2112 to start your journey to a healthier, pain-free life.

massage therapy

Alternative Therapy for Arthritis – Get a Massage

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As time has evolved, more and more people have started to resort to massage therapy as a way of getting rid of arthritis pains. For those who are unaware, massage therapy is best for those who have joint stiffness or inflammations as this can make sure all these problems vanish. However, one may wonder how massage can be the best way to fix arthritis issues the answer is simple. Read on to find out.

Overview on Massages

Massaging is one of the oldest arts used for healing. It was first practiced by the Greeks, Chinese, and Egyptians and later brought to the US. When an individual gets a massage, the massage therapist has to press, rub, knead, and manipulate the soft tissues and muscles of the body.

Since it has been around for so long, there are over 250 massage techniques; however, most therapists use one of the more basic ones. There are many different kinds of massages that have been invented. One form is known as the Swedish massage, which entails the use of long strokes that are supposed to calm the body. When the body is relaxed, the therapist begins to focus on the parts that are the stiffest. Another popular form is the deep tissue massage where a strong pressure is applied to soothe the deepest layers of the tissue. Then there are Asian methods that are called shiatsu or acupressure – these involve rubbing body parts until there is a positive response.

How It Helps With Arthritis

Relaxation

The number one thing that can be achieved by massage therapy is relaxation because massage is supposed to make the body feel good. Many therapists call massage the “Comfort Touch” as it uses slow yet steady pressurized movements to remove any tensions in the body. Some people say that massage has the tendency to trigger the parasympathetic nervous system as it allows the body to restore its energy. The flight or fight response is switched, the heartbeat slows down, and muscle tension is better.

Changes in Circulation

Although the mechanism is not completely understood, massage has been proven to promote the flow of lymph in the body – a liquid that goes around the body and with its presence in the cells, your body can fight diseases and infections. During a massage, the circulation increases, this can cause certain people to feel cooler during massages because the blood pressure is lowered.

Better Joint Movements

Apart from providing complete pain relief, massage therapy can help with joint movements. When direct pressure is applied, massage therapy can cause mobility in connective tissues, and muscles to improve. Therefore, for those who are suffering from arthritis, massage will allow their joints to be better and lessen the stiffness in their ligaments, tendons, and muscles.

 

Luckily, those who were hopeless with their arthritis condition can now get instant relief with the help of massage therapy.

How Chiropractic Can Help Patients Who Suffer From Arthritis

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Even though chiropractic excels in wellness care, it is becoming more common for people to visit chiropractors to treat a variety of different kinds of pain. Because of this, chiropractic adjustments provide many benefits to people and patients who suffer from a wide variety of conditions like arthritis. In today’s article, we’ll explore how chiropractic can help patients who suffer from arthritis and give you additional suggestions on how to alleviate the pain that’s associated with it.

What a Chiropractor Does

A Doctor of Chiropractic, also known as a chiropractor, is a health professional that focuses primarily on wellness care instead of sickness care. Their specialty focuses on adjusting the spine to correct misalignments that may be impinging on nerves.

Regular visits to a chiropractor can not only restore health throughout the body but also help alleviate back pain and other symptoms associated with an improperly aligned spinal column. They can also work with their patients to plan exercise routines and alterations in diet to assist management of inflammation and pain. Most insurance carriers cover visits to a chiropractor on at least some level.

What Is Arthritis?

Put simply, arthritis is inflammation in the joints which result in joint pain, stiffness and limited range of movement. There are over 200 different varieties of the ailment. While it is generally associated with age, it can also affect young people. It can strike almost any area of the body, with each region having a different cause and name. In some cases, arthritis can cause damage to soft tissues and muscles, like the heart and lungs.

Osteoarthritis, also called degenerative joint disease, is the most common type of arthritis. It results from repeated trauma to the joint and becomes more common in the elderly.

Other common forms of arthritis include:

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  • Rheumatoid arthritis, the second most common form in which the body’s immune system attacks the joint.
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  • Psoriatic arthritis, another autoimmune form of arthritis.

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  • Ankylosing spondylitis, also a type of arthritis where the body attacks itself.

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  • Septic arthritis, which is caused by a viral or bacterial infection of the joint.

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    Diagnosis

    Diagnosing arthritis involves a complete and thorough examination. If a chiropractor feels the need to co-manage the case, a medical work-up by a rheumatologist may be recommended. This can include radiology (x-ray) or an MRI, urine and blood analysis and physical examinations.

    It is important to have your condition properly diagnosed so you can more effectively treat the symptoms of the disease.

    Chiropractors and Arthritis

    The most common treatment for arthritis is medication, which can take down the inflammation and swelling and reduce pain. However, chiropractors can be of great help in managing arthritis. While medications work, it has long-term health risks such as impairing healing, damage to the stomach lining and internal bleeding.

    By visiting a chiropractor you may be able to reduce your reliance upon these medications while managing your pain and symptoms naturally. A chiropractor can:

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  • Improve your range of motion by keeping your spine in line

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  • Improve endurance and flexibility

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  • Increase your strength and muscle tone

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  • Help you develop a dietary and nutritional plan to reduce inflammation naturally

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    In addition, chiropractors can recommend an exercise regimen that’s conducive to arthritis. According to the American Chiropractic Association, this is a vital component in managing your arthritis symptoms.

    Treating the Symptoms

    Please understand that chiropractors cannot cure your arthritis. At this time, there is no cure for this ailment. They can, however, help to alleviate the symptoms and slow the progression of the illness. They may use spinal adjustments in conjunction with other treatments to address the disease. These options can include:

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  • Hot and cold therapy

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  • Ultrasound treatments

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  • Massage

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  • Electronic muscle stimulation

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  • Physical rehabilitation

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  • Magnet therapy

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    The Best Results

    With an inflammatory disease like arthritis, the best results are achieved from attacking it at all angles. This means working with your chiropractor and rheumatologist to combine treatments, if necessary. In addition to their care, a healthy diet and active exercise regime will help move you in the right direction toward a healthier outcome.

    If you or a loved one are suffering with arthritis, don’t hesitate to give us a call @ 780-455-2112 today. We’re here to help in any way we can!