You know what they say, “Growing old isn’t so bad when you consider the alternative.” However, it’s no joke if the aging process is causing you pain! As a Santa Barbara chiropractor, I give care to many individuals suffering from age-related challenges that likely would not have taken place if the original cause had been treated earlier in life, especially when it involves musculoskeletal breakdowns. Poor posture, improper gait, and repetitive overuse commonly produce undue stress in the back, neck, hip, knees, and even the feet that can produce painful conditions over time. If we only aware years ago how our aging body would feel now, eh? But, as they say, “hindsight is 20-20.”
As you can see from the list of complaints above, there are quite a few musculoskeletal conditions that can, and frequently do, evolve as we age, but painful back problems are one of the most prevalent. Back pain that is age-related is most commonly caused by a degenerative disorder known as Spondylosis (spine osteoarthritis).
Spondylosis is caused by prolonged erosion and weight-bearing pressure on the spine that, over the years, undermines discs, joints, and surrounding ligaments. The location and rate of the degenerative process of spondylosis varies from person to person. The areas likely to be affected are the cervical (neck), thoriacic (mid-back), or lumbar (low back). Spondylosis symptoms are individual as well, depending on the severity of degeneration, and can range from negligible pain and numbness to extreme sensory loss and muscular atrophy.
Calcium is deposited in the tissues around the vertebrae as the result of repetitive stresses that adversely affect the cartilage surrounding the joints Adjacent nerves, blood vessels, and soft tissue can be constricted by these calcific deposits, also called bone spurs. This particular of compression is at the root of Spondylosis.
Whether or not you are suffering from Spondylosis, regular chiropractic care and overall chiropractic management can significantly slow age-related degeneration of your spine. No, “you can’t un-ring a bell” or “turn back the hands of time,” but it’s never too late to give your spine the good treatment it deserves. When it comes to treating the spine, chiropractors are experts! See your Santa Barbara Chiropractor today, for the health of your spine.