How the Degeneration Process Works
Last blog we talked about the detrimental effects NSAID’s can have and the role they play in the degeneration process. Now, I want to talk a little more about degeneration and what it looks like.
Degeneration is a normal process of aging, but in today’s world, that process is happening faster than ever. We are going to talk about the 3 phases of degeneration and how Chiropractic can help slow this process down and relieve symptoms!
Normal
Normal spinal curves allow for normal turning and bending. They also allow for open joint spaces and nerve root spaces to allow nerve roots to exit the spine without being interfered with.
Phase 1
This phase results in the loss of normal curves. This leads to misalignments of our joints which restrict normal range of motion. This reduces ligament and muscle strength and irritates the nerves. It also leads to soft tissue inflammation, which ultimately leads to pain and can also put pressure on the nerves.
Phase 2
Bone spurs attempt to fuse malfunctioning joints. This creates a large loss of motion and creates joint instability. This also continues to irritate the nerves and leads to further degeneration.
Phase 3
After years of neglect, complete fusion has occurred. This completely immobilizes the joint. Obstructed nerve openings cause permanent nerve irritation and soft tissue degeneration continues. This irreversible condition is usually associated with other chronic health problems.
Why do all these bad changes occur?
The body treats the restricted motion and soft tissue damage of a malfunctioning joint like it would a broken bone. It responds by depositing calcium on surrounding joint surfaces, attempting to “splint” them together. If this is given enough time, bone spurs, fusion, and an irreversible condition results!
What can you do to avoid Spinal Degeneration?
Get ADJUSTED! Chiropractic care helps return bones to their normal position and restores the lost motion. Repeated adjustments help retain the supporting muscles and ligaments. Our spinal curves are there for a reason, and when they are properly aligned, we see better joint mechanics and the normal healing process can begin.
The reality of it is, Time and Gravity do not stop and they are always exerting their forces on us. So, the earlier this is corrected, the better off you will be! What we are seeing in our clinic is a lot of abnormal spinal curvatures and it is starting in younger children. This is really due to the amount of screen time our society uses. In children, this process can often be reversed with proper chiropractic care. In adults, the process can be slowed and maybe even reversed, depending on how severe the degeneration process has become and what phase it is in. The point is, the farther you get into this process, the worse your Quality of Life becomes.
Schedule an appointment and get your quality of life back today! 309-670-2800
