Cartilage degeneration via osteoarthritis often leads
to pain. Sitka osteoarthritis sufferers experience
this side-effect of osteoarthritis‘ inflammatory effects on disc and joint
cartilage. Arctic Chiropractic, Sitka
treats back pain, neck pain, arm pain and leg pain
patients with osteoarthritis daily. Blending chiropractic
treatment with nutrition like omega-3 fatty acids and other nutrients like chondroitin/glucosamine
often leads to pain relief for our osteoarthritis clients.
OSTEOARTHRITIS (aka OA)
Arctic Chiropractic, Sitka usually sees
osteoarthritis in patients when there is pain. Makes sense!
Pain gets our attention, of both
patients and their doctors. Osteoarthritis’s degenerative history
is likely longer than that of pain’s. The most common
form of arthritis, osteoarthritis (OA) is a disease that reportedly affects 13.6% of adults over 20 years old (Canada
& US). OA is explained as a low grade inflammatory process
that disrupts cartilage synthesis, resulting in
degeneration of cartilage in joints. (1) Medical literature
reported the presence of OA as being higher in those with
osteoporosis. (2) Spinal discs are cartilaginous as well. Research
also stated that OA’s degenerative effects were
articular cartilage and inflammation. (3) Newer studies have focused on the potential beneficial effects
of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) on osteoarthritis while omega-6
polyunsaturated fatty acids were more damaging to cartilage. (1,3) Arctic Chiropractic, Sitka
shares what these PUFAs are and features their
importance to our Sitka osteoarthritic patients.
OMEGA-3 FATTY ACIDS FOR OA
Omega-3 fatty acids’ benefits are defined
in several studies. Researchers
wrote that omega-3 PUFAs are recognized for their
anti-inflammatory properties which may well control
pro-inflammatory markers and cartilage loss. (1) In a study
assessing the impact of carious edible oils with different omega 3 and 6 levels in osteoarthritic mice, the higher omega-3 oils resulted in increased cartilage thickness and decreased
tumor necrosis factor-A inflammatory markers in serum and cartilage tests. (3)
Another such study analyzed the effect of higher to lower proportion of omega
3 to 6 diets and found that lower omega 6
to omega 3 intake diets enhanced cartilage structure, decelerated
cartilage loss, and diminished inflammation. (2) Just adjusting
dietary intake can help OA by eating fatty fish (salmon,
mackeral, herring, oyster, sardines, etc.), flaxseed, chia seed, and some walnuts.
Your cartilage will appreciate it! Arctic Chiropractic, Sitka formats Sitka chiropractic treatment plans to address
inflammation and related pain. Omega PUFAs help as can anti-inflammatory
chondroitin/glucosamine supplementation in the
nutritional part of the plan.
CONTACT Arctic Chiropractic, Sitka
Listen to this PODCAST
with Dr. James Cox on The
Back Doctors Podcast with Dr. Michael Johnson as he
describes how nutrition blends into The Cox®
Technic System of Spinal Pain Management to help with back
pain and the inflammatory process and the immune system that impacts it.
Make your Sitka chiropractic
appointment today. When pain, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, and inflammation
are subjects of daily conversations, share them with us! We’ll work together to reduce inflammation
and pain.