Mindfulness programs and practices frequently describe a process of locating your "center." One's center may be conceived as a focus of energy, both spiritual and physical, by which all activities ...View Article
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Prevent Arthritic Changes With ChiropracticArthritis is a systemic disease meaning it affects the whole body. It most dramatically affects the joints causing pain, inflammation and (in severe cases) deformation. There are many forms of arthritis. The most common are Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis. Studies show that regular Chiropractic care can help prevent arthritic changes in your spine.
Historically, osteoarthritis has been regarded as a common slowly progressive disorder seen most often in the elderly that affects the weight bearing joints and commonly accepted as an integral consequence of aging. (1) It is a “wear and tear” of joint usually caused by bones in the spine that are not in perfect alignment. Due to the misalignment, weight and pressure is then shifted causing these areas to wear out more quickly than other areas. This causes the discs to degenerate prompting the body to “stabilize” the spine with additional calcium deposits in the joint. X-rays may show bone spurs or fusion between certain joints as a result of this, limiting mobility. As the space between the vertebrae degenerate, nerves in the area are pressed on resulting in pain and interfering with the nerve’s proper function.
Spinal misalignments are called “vertebral subluxations”. Rather than treating symptoms with medication, Chiropractic Care focuses on aligning subluxations allowing weight and pressure to be distributed properly and evenly throughout the disc and vertebrae thereby avoiding the progression of disc degeneration. It is now said that by doing so chiropractic is a relevant healthcare for osteoarthritis and is thought to improve or reverse signs of arthritis and improve mobility. (1)(2)(3)(4)(5)
If arthritis has affected one or two areas in your spine, regular chiropractic care can not only halt the progression of the disease in the area but protect the rest of your spine by eliminating the cause of the degeneration: subluxation. With gentle, specific adjustments misalignments are corrected. Upon evaluating specific X-Rays, your chiropractor will recommend a regimented treatment plan to ensure you maintain proper alignment. As your body stays in proper alignment, pressure is taken off nerves and symptoms tend to improve. If you maintain proper alignment, you become stronger and help keep them from coming back.
RA is an autoimmune disease. It is a chronic (long-term) disease that causes pain, stiffness, swelling and limited motion and function of many joints. While RA can affect any joint, the small joints in the hands and feet tend to be involved most often. Inflammation sometimes can affect organs as well, for instance, the eyes or lungs. (6) RA can be a crippling disease. The symptoms of RA can vary from person to person. When the disease is active, the tissues are inflamed. When the disease is in remission, the inflammation has eased and the symptoms disappear with patients generally feeling well. The disease can affect children (Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis) and adults and has been known to spontaneously disappear. Since the underlying cause is unknown, symptom treatments include a lifetime of drugs for the pain and inflammation.
Research has shown that most patients with rheumatoid arthritis have severe spinal misalignments, notably brain stem compression caused by subluxation in the upper neck.(9) Displaced vertebrae cause pressure on nerves interfering with the nerve’s proper communication with your brain. (7)(8)Vertebral subluxations weaken your nervous and immune systems, thus weakening your entire body lowering resistance to disease and pain. Subluxations are known as “silent killers” because they can slowly eat away at your health and vitality for years without you knowing it. A natural, drug-free approach, Chiropractic focuses on removing interference between your brain and its communication to your nervous system. Chiropractic helps turn on your “inner healer”, your inner healing ability. When your spine is free os subluxations your body functions better. (10)
Dr. Deanna Barbaro is a local chiropractor who specializes in treating Subluxation by manipulating and readjusting the spine, relieving the pressure on nerves running through the spinal column. She accomplishes this gently and with ease. Not just a quick fix, Dr. Barbaro’s focus is correction of misalignment for optimum brain/nerve function so that you can experience more living in your life and more energy in your living!