One of the most common sources of back pain we treat at the Central Virginia Chiropractic Center in Lynchburg is osteoarthritis. While most people are aware that arthritis is a disorder that causes joints to swell, they may not know the specifics of osteoarthritis, which is why we want to provide an introduction.
Osteoarthritis is caused by mechanical damage to joints in the back. This is different from rheumatoid arthritis, which is an immune system disorder in which the body attacks itself. In osteoarthritis, the cartilage which separates the facet joints of the spine gets worn away or misshapen, causing parts of the spine to rub against each other. This causes inflammation, which leads to muscle spasms and pain.
People with osteoarthritis report it tends to be worse after long periods of inactivity, such as sleeping or sitting still at or desk or while watching a movie. It also gets worse during periods of low atmospheric pressure such as before precipitation; this is caused by swelling. Osteoarthritis has a high correlation with degenerative disc disease, which in some cases is believed to be the cause of it due to a degenerated disc’s reduced ability to absorb shocks.
Our office offers lots of ways of treating osteoarthritis, including adjustments, electric muscle stimulation, and therapeutic exercise to prevent stiffness. However, the process of diagnosing osteoarthritis requires other possible causes of back pain to be eliminated, which is why we’ll need patients to undergo tests and provide as complete a medical history as possible.
Dr. Darlene Holland operates Central Virginia Chiropractic Center, Inc. at 7327 Timberlake Rd, Lynchburg, Virginia, 24502. To schedule an appointment, visit Central Virginia Chiropractic or call 434-237-0413.
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