National Statistics

Based on 2003-2005 data from the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS)*, an estimated 46.4 million (21.6%) of adults have self-reported doctor-diagnosed arthritis and 18.9 million (8.8% of all adults) have arthritis-attributable activity limitation.

Based on 2003 NHIS data** an estimated 67 million (25%) adults aged 18 years and older will have doctor-diagnosed arthritis by the year 2030. An estimated 25 million adults (9.3%) will report arthritis-attributable activity limitations.

Source: National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion

Arthritis is the inflammation of a joint, at times, accompanied by pain, swelling and stiffness, caused by infection, trauma, degnerative changes, and metabolic disturbances. Some people could be walking around with even Phase II arthritis and not feel any pain, but one small trauma can start a series of health problems.

At Advanced Chiropractic Solutions it is our desire to help all individuals to maintain healthy bodies, and consequently healthy lives. Every year you go to your dentist to get your teeth checked, to your OBGYN to get your pap and mammo, and to your M.D., to get your physical done. Isn't it about time you came to us and got your bones examined to see just how healthy they are?

X-rays show the health of your bones. Is your spine healthy? Are the vertebrae healthy: Or has some degeneration started to occur?

Arthitis, caught early, is easier to treat than in later phases of degeneration. However, even in later phases there is hope of slowing down the arthritic reaction and giving people a better quality of life than they would be having they go untreated.

Stages of Degeneration

Arthritis in the vertebrae make life quite miserable as it completely affects your mobility and often results in compression of nerves and impingement. Arthritis is not just limited to aging individuals, even young people can get arthritis. A normal, healthy vertebra is shown to the right. You will notice the nice wide disc space and good, healthy nerves coming from the spine. Note the nice rounded edges of the bone and the nice hydrated look of the discs.

In Phase I some degeneration is occurring, calcium spurring is beginning and the discs are beginning to thin and losing hydration. Mild nerve impingement is occurring.

In Phase II moderate degeneration is occurring, advanced spurring is taking place and the discs are becoming badly damaged. There is moderate impingement on the nerves.

In Phase III severe degeneration has taken place, the spurs have begun to connect and fuse the vertebrae together, there is little or no disc space left. Severe nerve impingement is occuring.