The term arthritis means the breakdown or degeneration of the joint spaces in your musculoskeletal system. In some studies as many as 8 out 10 people over the age of 55 suffer from some form of arthritis. Many times, arthritis can become so painful and debilitating that many simple tasks such as brushing one's teeth or opening a jar can be very difficult.

Arthritis can affect people in different ways. Arthritis can be found in the spine, wrists, knees, fingers, toes, and joint space. These joint spaces are found to have lost their normal shape due to large amounts of fluid and debris such as calcium.

For many different reasons, the body will begin making extra bone to shore up degenerating joints which are usually do to poor posture as well as a  lack of ligament and muscle support. This extra deposit of bone is many times called a bone spur or osteophyte. Bone spurs can sometimes block the space where a nerve root is leaving from the spinal canal. Arthritis symptoms can include:

• Inflammation
• Burning
• Joint pain
• Loss of muscle control
• Pain
• Stabbing pain in the extremities
• Cramping
• Crackling sounds

While there are no cure-all treatments for arthritis there are many alternatives to long durations of medications. Chiropractic treatments are effective by improving posture and structural weaknesses and by opening up the degenerating joint spaces. In addition there are many modalities that chiropractors can use such as ultra sound, laser, and vibration therapies which can generate short to long term relief.