Osteoarthritis, Mobility, and Quality of Life Improved Under Chiropractic Care

The September 17, 2015, issue of the Annals of Vertebral Subluxation Research carried a case study documenting an elderly woman with osteoarthritis and mobility issues being helped with chiropractic care.

The study authors begin by reporting that osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common of 140 types of arthritis conditions. The elderly are most commonly afflicted with this issue. They note that OA generally involves weight bearing joints such as the feet, knees, hips and the spine. Joint pain with swelling and loss of joint mobility are some of the more common symptoms affecting people with OA. Common medical care for OA includes painkillers, NSAIDS, and steroidal injections.

In this case, an 82-year-old woman went to the chiropractor because she was suffering from pain and swelling in her knee joints resulting in a decrease in mobility. This problem made it difficult for her to walk and go up stairs. She also reported an irregular gait to her walk and was often in need of a walking stick. She had been suffering with this pain for over 5 years which resulted in considerable emotional stress.

A chiropractic examination was conducted consisting of leg length tests, postural analysis, range of motion, and observation of the lower body joints. X-rays taken of the woman's lower spine and pelvis showed spinal disc degeneration as well as mild osteoporosis.

Specific chiropractic care was begun to correct subluxations. The authors report that over a period of five and a half months, the woman was checked and adjusted when necessary twice a week.

Over the course of the care, the woman noted that she was more mobile and had an increased desire and ability to exercise. She also reported that she was experiencing other improvements in her health including better digestion, better sleep, a feeling of wellbeing, better eating habits, improved toilet habits, and physical stamina. The woman's initial knee pain had significantly decreased and her spinal range of motion also improved.

In their discussion, the study authors explained how chiropractic care helped this woman as well as many others suffering from OA, "Chiropractic aims to optimize nervous system function thereby improving overall function of the body in response to internal and external factors. By removing interference to the nervous system via adjustments of vertebral subluxation the brain and body are able to communicate better allowing for an increase in health and wellbeing including increased movement and improved lifestyle. This is important in all age groups but is particularly important in older people as the body's susceptibility to impaired function increases."