Osteoarthritis

What is osteoarthritis?

Osteoarthritis is also referred to as wear and tear or degeneration. It is a process in which changes occur in the cartilage and joint fluid of joints. This can happen in different parts of the body, including the spine.

When these changes take place in the spine, terms are used such as spondylosis, discopathy or spondylarthrosis. This may sound complicated, but essentially it is the same process: joints that move less smoothly and are placed under greater strain.

What happens with osteoarthritis in the spine?

As you get older, the intervertebral discs absorb less and less fluid. As a result, they gradually become thinner and lose some of their shock-absorbing function. That is also why people can become slightly shorter over the years.

Because of this reduced shock absorption, the spine is put under greater strain. This speeds up the ageing process of the joints. Thinning of the intervertebral discs is called discopathy .

How does osteoarthritis develop?

Osteoarthritis usually develops gradually. Wear and tear due to ageing plays an important role, but other factors can also contribute, such as:

repeated injuries
long-term overuse due to work or sport
poor posture or misalignment
too little variation in movement

Degeneration is often a gradual process. It usually starts with start-up stiffness, restricted movement, or creaking sounds in the joint—as if there is “sand in it”. Inflammation and pain often only occur later in the process.

Can you do anything about osteoarthritis?

Although osteoarthritis cannot be reversed, that does not mean nothing can be done. By improving joint function and restoring balance in the spine, the degenerative process can be slowed down and symptoms can reduce.

That is why chiropractic care focuses on helping the spine and other joints move as well as possible. Better movement function ensures a more balanced load on the body.

Maybe you have been told: “You have to learn to live with osteoarthritis” or “There’s nothing more that can be done”. While the wear and tear itself is permanent, the symptoms and pain can often be reduced.

A certain degree of stiffness sometimes cannot be fully resolved. The body also uses this stiffness as a protective mechanism to prevent incorrect or excessive movements.

Treating osteoarthritis with a chiropractor

For painful and stiff joints, it can be helpful to have the spine checked as a preventive measure. Our chiropractors focus on improving posture, range of motion, and balance.

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