You Asked...
Why x-rays?
The discovery of x-rays was a pivotal step in healthcare, For doctors of chiropractic, x-rays are being utilized in the examination and care of practice members, and they offer excellent diagnostic, and practice member education capabilities.
X-rays have a wide usage in chiropractic, from visualizing the presence or absence of proper spinal curves to determining areas of degeneration or spinal decay.
Spinal Decay and Arthritis
Also known as arthritis or spinal degeneration, spinal decay can be visualized on x-rays, and is evidence of long term neglect and spinal trauma.
Why does osteoarthritis or spinal decay show up? Simply it is like tooth decay - usually due to years of neglect, and similar to the teeth, anybody can get it without knowing it, usually without the presence of pain or symptoms.
Most people believe that arthritis is a process that affects the elderly, and therefore it is normal. Well not everyone gets arthritis! Therefore, arthritis is not normal, but very common.
Arthritis is a progressively worsening condition that is the result of long term spinal misalignments. Arthritis is how your body deals with the stress of gravity and the spinal misalignments.
Arthritis is a Four Phase Process
Arthritis is a process, and inevitably, without managing or correcting the insulting misalignments, arthritis progresses.
Normal
Arthritis and spinal decay can occur anywhere in the spine, it is easiest to visualize in the neck. A side view x-ray reveals what a normal neck should look like. There should be a very noticeable curve to the neck, which measures 43 degrees. The curve should be very smooth and not interrupted. The edges of the bones are well defined, and the spaces between the bones (the discs) are equal in width, so that the spinal nerves have space to pass.
Arthritis Phase 1
In phase 1 there is a complete loss of the normal curve of the neck. It has gone from the normal 43 degree curve to between 0 degrees. There is a reduced ability to turn and bend the neck, along with a possible decrease in the disc space between the spinal bones.
In this phase, the very delicate spinal cord that runs through the spinal column may be tethered and or stretched, resulting in interference from the signals from the brain to your entire body.
Depending on your body's adaptive ability, there may or may not be any pain or symptoms present.
Arthritis Phase 2
If left neglected, phase 1 of spinal decay can lead to phase 2. There is a loss of the clearly defined edges of the joint surfaces. As well, there is evidence of bone spurring on the front and the back of the spinal bones. The disc spaces may also become decreased, and in some cases there can also be a "reversal" of the normal 43 degree curve of the neck.
Some believe that the body interprets this injury and inflammation as a fracture in the body, and in an attempt to heal the fracture as best as it knows, it deposits calcium to the injury site - in turn trying to fuse the segments together, which puts immense pressure on the spinal cord and the nerves.
Arthritis Phase 3
If left uncorrected, phase 2 of spinal decay and arthritis can lead to phase 3. Believe it or not, pain and symptoms may not even show up in phase 3!
In phase 3, the body is almost done mending what it thinks of as a fracture. The disc spaces are almost obliterated, and the joint spaces of adjacent bones are touching. There are advanced bone spurs (calcium deposits) that the body has created to fuse the segments together, and the spurs are also present in the back of the spine.
In this phase there is advanced pressure on the spinal cord and the nerves. If neglected, phase 3 can lead to drastic complications in your health.
This process takes years of neglect and spinal misalignments to create. Many practice members may tell us that they have been "fine and healthy my entire life, and I slipped on the floor, and have neck pain now?" The x-rays tell us that your problem has been there for many years.
Arthritis Phase 4
This is end-stage arthritis. Phase 4 is defined by a total loss of ranges of motion in the neck associated with compete fusion of the spinal bones. In phase 4 there is massive damage to the spinal cord and the nerves; sending messages from the brain to the rest of the body is nearly impossible.
Patients that are in phase 4 are usually that, patients. Most are in long term care homes, as the damage is too extensive for the patients to take care of themselves, and even to walk!
Prognosis and Chiropractic Care
Although chiropractic cannot guarantee any results, many practice members who find themselves in phase 1 arthritis, discover that regular chiropractic care can help their bodies restore proper spinal curve and function. They also find improved ranges of motion, and better overall health.
Phase 2 is less predictable in its restoration to normal, and depends upon many different factors, which include the body's innate ability to heal, as well as certain lifestyle factors and limitations.
If you are interested in prevention and/or correction of spinal arthritis and decay, call or email us to book your initial consultation to determine if chiropractic care can help you and your family.