06/28/2011

     Hello Everyone.  Actually there are different types of arthritis such as rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis...  Most of the time if a doctor implies that your neck pain, for example, is from arthritis, what he is doing is referring to degenerative changes in you neck which he is likely seeing on an X-ray or MRI.  You are then left with the idea that the reason your neck or back hurts is due to arthritis, or degenerative changes, in your spine.

     I would like to dramatically change your way of thinking and understanding of this situation.  I propose to you that in many cases the pain or problem is coming from joint dysfunction in your spine.  That is, the problem is actually a spinal problem.  In chiropractic, often times we use the term vertebral subluxation to describe just such joint dysfunction.  Now, joint dysfunction can produce pain and over time will likely produce degenerative changes or damage (arthritis).

     So, in fact, the problem you are having is not the arthritis, but it is in fact the joint dysfunction.  The arthritis is not the cause of the problem...quite opposite it is the effect of the problem over time. 

     Yes, my friends...That is the reality of the situation.   But that's good news!!  That means that if we correct your joint dysfunction your pain/problem will be fixed.  You may be thinking but what about the arthritis.  Well what about it?  As long as your neck is functioning well again, it doesn't really matter, it is clinically insignificant.  It will likely not get worse to any significant degree over time to the point that it would be a problem. 

      Now let me just say that in some cases if the arthritis or degenerative change is very significant it COULD become a problem in itself.  Even if it is the result of a joint problem over time and even if we correct the joint problem that caused it. 

      However, in most cases of neck and back pain when the degeneration is not very significant or severe we can correct your problem  rather easily.  Imagine that! Life without pain!  Even if you have degenerative or "arthritic" changes.

     If you have any questions or comments, or if you want to know how we correct joint dysfunction in the spine, then please respond to this   blog or email me at DrFitzer@FitzerChiropractic.com

     Thank you.  I am looking forward to hearing from you!!

Benjamin Fitzer, D.C.