What is Arthritis?

Arthritis is inflammation of the joints. The most common form of arthritis is osteoarthritis or degenerative joint disease. It is caused by joint degeneration and loss of joint cartilage.

What causes osteoarthritis or DJD?

1. the natural aging process 2. wear-and-tear or repetative trauma 3. inherited abnormalities in joint structure

With cumlative stress on a joint and the aging process, the ability to restore and create normal cartilage that cushions the joint decreases, therefore, damage to the cartilage occurs followed by bony changes which results in a degenerative joint.

NORMAL
Proper spinal curves permit normal turning and bending. Openings between joints allow nerve roots to exit the spine without interference. The edges of the bones are smooth and well defined. Equal disc spacing is a sign of healthy spinal function.
PHASE ONE
Loss or normal curves and misalignment restrict or exaggerate normal ranges of motion. ligament and muscle strength is reduced. Even with nerve irritation and soft tissue inflammation, pain or other obvious symptoms may not be present.
PHASE TWO
Years of accumulated calcium deposition are now visible. Bone spurs attempt to fuse malfunctioning joints. Adjacent surfaces are rough and uneven. Joint instability is accompanied by continued nerve irritation and disc degeneration.

PHASE THREE
After years of neglect, complete fusion has immobilized the joint. Obstructed nerve openings cause permanent nerve irritation as soft tissue degeneration continues. This irreversible condition is usually associated with other chronic health problems.

degeneration 1

(The degenerative spinal vertebral stages)

Time-Lapsed Disc Degeneration of the Neck

degeneration pic

What is the conventional treatment of osteoarthrits?

The primary drugs used in the treatment of osteoarthritis are called "NSAID's" (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs). These drugs help to relieve pain and are tolerated well if used carefully and cautiously. NSAID's if used long term or if not utilized properly may be associated with gastric irritation , GI bleeding, liver and kidney damage.

Supplements for Joint Care and Health:

Fish or Flaxseed Oil....Essential fatty acids that help control pain and inflammation.

Vitamin C....Helps control pain and inflammation, antioxidant.

Magnesium....essential for all of our physiology, helps relax muscles

Multivitamin....Supplies essential nutrients needed to repair and maintain tissues.

Coenzyme Q10....Increases tissue oxygenation to aid in repair of connective tissue.

Garlic....Antioxidant and detoxifier.

Proteolytic Enzymes (digestive enzymes, bromelain, etc.).... Reduces inflammation, improves absorption of foods needed for tissue repair.

Probiotics....Bacterial cultures, such as acidophilus, that assist the body's naturally occurring flora in the gastrointestinal tract that help the digestive processes and balance.

Diet.... Fruit, vegetables, fish, no meat, 8 glasses of water per day, rest, exercise.

Vit D/Calcium/Magnesium....Vit D assists in mineral deposition into bones, immunity health.  Calcium excites nerves, prevents bone loss, needed for blood clotting. Magnesium relaxes muscles, prevents bone loss, keeps blood flowing freely. Any imbalance of these can be unhealthy.

Glucosamine sulfate (GS), an amino sugar. The body utilizes glucosamine to stimulate the process of cartilage renewal and helps make the synovial fluid in the joints thick and elastic.

   

*WAIT 2 HOURS AFTER MEDICATIONS TO TAKE ALL SUPPLEMENTS.

*Please note: If you have any medical condition, check your health care physician before taking any supplement.

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Joint Noise: Popping and Cracking

Popping and cracking sounds in the course of the movement of human joints are natural-and often disconcerting. These sounds are made in two general circumstances: when the sound is accompanied by pain in the moving joint, and when the sound occurs with the movement alone.

Most joints in the body have common construction features. Two or more bones create the skeletal component, with the bones at their point of contact covered by a slick, friction-reducing material known as articular cartilage. The joint is encased in a capsule that contains synovial fluid, a substance also designed to reduce friction in the joint. Present in the joint is often a bursa, a gel-filled fibrous sac that acts to cushion impacts received at the joint. The bones at the joint are secured to one another by ligaments; the joint usually is powered by muscle and tendon groups secured to the bones. Slight misalignments and surrounding muscles and ligaments can cause a cracking sound on movement.

In summary, the sound you are describing is called a cavitation, and it occurs when the capsule of a joint is stretched, producing a negative pressure within the joint, and allowing the lubricating fluid of the joint to escape as carbon dioxide gas. This is the same phenomenon that occurs when people "pop" their knuckles. The repetitive popping in your neck is probably associated with areas of joint dysfunction that cause some joints to move too freely (called hypermobility) and other joints to not move correctly (called hypomobility), combined with chronic muscular tension that essentially primes the joint to cavitate with certain movements.

Manipulation may alleviate the pain or discomfort of this condition, and in other cases, it may not. Some proprietary chiropractic techniques specifically aim to restore the normal spinal curvatures.

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Los Alamitos Office

Monday
8:00 am - 12:00 pm 2:30 pm - 6:00 pm
Tuesday
Closed
Wednesday
8:00 am - 12:00 pm 2:30 pm - 6:00 pm
Thursday
Closed
Friday
8:00 am - 12:00 pm 2:30 pm - 5:00 pm
Saturday
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Sunday
Closed