Arthritis/Reversal Of Arthritis
Is Chiropractic a Treatment for this disease?
With all the diseases and conditions mentioned in this website, the reader might assume that chiropractic is a treatment for diseases. That is not the case. The goal of chiropractic care is the correction or reduction of the vertebral subluxation complex (VSC), a serious spinal distortion that irritates and interferes with nervous system and overall body function.
The effects of the vertebral subluxation complex are extremely individual. Correcting (adjusting) an upper cervical (upper neck) subluxation could stop headaches in one patient, a speech disorder in another, blindness, asthma, low back pain, sinus trouble, constipation or any of hundreds of body malfunctions in others.
Most revealing is that a VSC might produce little or no observable symptoms. However, that does not minimize the potential harm as an “asymptomatic subluxation” can be a dangerous thing and needs correction.
Correcting the subluxation complex permits the body to work more efficiently. All people, those expressing symptoms or not, need subluxation correction to maximize their ability to heal and to optimize their life expression; it may make all the difference in the world.
A note about terminology: For purposes of simplification, we will consider the osteopathic “lesion” and the chiropractic “vertebral subluxation complex” as synonymous. Some people avoid the term chiropractic adjustment and instead prefer to use the term “manipulation,” “spinal manipulative therapy” (SMT), “chiropractic treatment” or some other term in explaining their work. You’ll see these terms used in the papers cited. We feel the terms “chiropractic adjustment” and “chiropractic care” better represent the procedures used since the specific chiropractic approach is not a general manipulation nor is it a treatment for specific diseases (though some have proposed that it may be referred to as a treatment for subluxations).
A major limitation of chiropractic research is lack of inter-technique study. Are different adjusting techniques more effective? Less effective? More traumatic? Less traumatic? And for which patients? Would the spine have held its adjustment better with another technique? How important is doctor proficiency? A person should remember not all doctors are equal be they chiropractors or medical doctors. Research along those lines, though badly needed, is scant. Too much chiropractic research today operates within the medical paradigm (diagnosis and treatment of diseases).
Disc regeneration: reversibility is possible in spinal osteoarthritis. Ressel, OJ. ICA Review March/April 1989 pp. 39 -61.
From the abstract: Historically, osteoarthritis has been regarded as a common, slowly progressive disorder seen most often in the elderly that affects the weight bearing joints, the peripheral and axial articulations, and the spine...clinically, osteoarthritis has been universally accepted as an integral consequence of aging. The condition is considered to be the product of various pathobiomechanical alterations in joint function, a “wear and tear” sequelae. It is only in the past few years that increased knowledge about the histopathology, biomechanics, biochemistry, and metabolic properties of normal and osteoarthritic tissue structures has given clinicians any hope of being able to deal with osteoarthritis. When patient care is related to the pathology, pathophysiology, and the kinesiopathology of this condition, arrest and even reversal is possible.
Osteoarthritis, chiropractic, and nutrition: osteoarthritis considered as a natural part of a three stage subluxation complex: its reversibility: its relevance and treatability by chiropractic and nutritional correlates. Berkson DL Med Hypotheses 1991 Dec; 36(4):356-67
From the abstract: It is proposed that chiropractic and nutritional treatment contribute to the amelioration and perhaps reversal of osteoarthritis (OA). It is further proposed that the chiropractic manipulative thrust is, in effect, treating dysfunctional bio-mechanics of joints, affecting positive cartilaginous change. The pathophysiology and multi-factorial causes of OA are reviewed. New interpretations of the literature surrounding OA are discussed which offer arguments for OA's treatment and reversal through chiropractic manipulation and nutritional support. Presented is a new model of the chiropractic concept of subluxation (abnormal joint complex resulting in fixation or decrease in normal range of motion) and the chiropractic manipulative thrust. The associated histologic correlates are also discussed. A review of the literature of anti-inflammatory and muscle/joint complex supportive nutrients appropriate for OA is presented…a complete treatment protocol for OA is summarized.
Rheumatoid arthritis, a case report. Nelson W. Chiropractic Technique 1990; 2:17-19.
From the abstract: A case of rheumatoid arthritis is presented where chiropractic therapy apparently produced homeostasis and a symptom free patient. This is the case of a 51-year-old registered nurse with previously diagnosed RA of 6 months duration. After 4 weeks of care her hand spasms had eased and by 6 weeks the patient had stopped using anti-inflammatory drugs. After 8 weeks all the pain was gone; the patient was able to go dancing….After 8 months of treatment she attended her daughter’s wedding with practically no pain. After 12 months she was generally pain free unless she altered her diet…After 30 months the patient broke all treatment rules with no articular or tissue pain. Note: The Bennett method of chiropractic was the technique used.
Experimental models of osteoarthritis: the role of immobilization. Videman T. Clinical Biomechanics, 1987; 2:223-229.
From the abstract: Evidence is reviewed from animal experiments supporting the hypothesis that immobilization, for whatever reason, is one of the pathogenic factors in musculoskeletal degeneration. It shows beyond reasonable doubt that immobilization is not only a cause of osteoarthritis but that it delays the healing process. Note: It was observed that arthritic changes were observed after only a few weeks of immobilization
Osteoarthritis: a review of the cell biology involved and evidence for reversibility. Bland, JH, Cooper SM, and SEM Arthritis Rheum 14 (2): 106-133, 1984.
The reversibility of osteoarthritis. Bland, JH. American Journal of Medicine, 75:16-26, 1983.
A 5-year follow-up of 50 cases of idiopathic osteoarthritis of the hip. Seifert M, et al. Ann Rheum Dis 28:325, 1969.
Spontaneous reversal of osteoarthritis is noted.
Incidence and prognosis of the coxarthrosis. Danielsson LG. Acta Orthop Scand (Suppl) 66; 1-114, 1964. Reversal of osteoarthritis is shown possible.
Spontaneous recovery of the hip joint in degenerative joint disease. Perry GH et al. An Rheum Dis 31:440-448, 1972
Restoration of the femoral head after collapse in OA. Storey et al. Ann Rheum Dis 30:406-412, 1971
The chiropractic medical management of hyperuricemia and gouty arthritis. Hicks L. American Chiropractor 1991; 13:12-15.
Atlanto-axial subluxation and upward translocation of the odontoid in rheumatoid arthritis. Rana NA, Hancock DO, Taylor AR, Hill AGS, Am J Bone Joint Surg 55A: 1304, 1973.
Research has shown that most patients with rheumatoid arthritis have severe spinal misalignments.
Brain stem compression in rheumatoid arthritis. Mayer, JW et al JAMA Nov.1, 1976-Vol.236, No.18.
“Involvement of the cervical spine, particularly the atlanto-axial (C-1 to C-2) area, by rheumatoid arthritis (RA) may result in serious complications, including quadraparesis, vertebral artery insufficiency and even death. Pathologic conditions of the cervical spine are common in RA and may occur in as many as 86% of patients with this disease…The incidence of roentgenographic evidence of serious C-1 to C-2 subluxations has been reported as high as 25%.”
OA of the hip: a study of the nature and evolution of the disease. Harrison MHM et al J Bone Joint Surg 35B: 598-626, 1953
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