Osteoarthritis is a degenerative condition that affects the discs in your spine. Unfortunately, conventional medicine has no treatment for this; however there are a few different ways you can use to manage the condition and ensure it doesn't worsen over time:

Proper Supplementation

There are a number of multivitamins and other compounds on the market that claim to treat joint pain and remove any discomfort caused by joint inflammation. But whilst these targeted products can definitely help in treating joint pain, they are often more expensive than standard supplements and aren't as effective. Therefore, if you're looking to ease your discomfort whist staying within a tight budget, it's often best to stick to basic supplements which form the building blocks for your body.

One of the best supplements for improving your joint health is fish oil. Fish oil is a term that is commonly used to refer to the omega-3 fatty acids, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). You're probably already aware of omega-3 fatty acids - many health organizations and fitness instructors recommend supplementing fish oil to improve your overall well-being. But you may not know that fish oil is great for lubricating your joints and reducing inflammation. Additionally, omega-3 fatty acids can decrease the onset of osteoarthritis, which is a progressive condition that affects the spine and generally worsens with age.

Another two supplements that can bring some well-needed relief to your sore joints are glucosamine sulfate and chondroitin. These supplements are usually taken together, as they work together to restore functionality to your stiff and painful joints. These compounds, when taken regularly over a period of time, are thought to help slow or prevent the development of osteoarthritis. Specifically, glucosamine sulfate is believed to help damaged cartilage repair itself by providing the necessary building blocks for growth. Chondroitin, on the other hand, helps provide the elasticity that is critical for joint health.

Inversion Therapy

Inversion therapy involves suspending yourself upside down on a horizontal bar or inverting yourself using a number of inversion chairs that are available on the market. Don't worry, this isn't as scary as it sounds! In fact, inversion therapy is a great way to relieve yourself of any discomfort you may have due to osteoarthritis.

The reason for this is that inverting forces your spine into tension, relieving your joints of any stress or tension they may be under during your day-to-day life. Gravity takes it toll on the spine over time, but by practicing regular inversion, you can slow down the effects of gravity on the body. Not only is inversion extremely therapeutic, but it can also help slow down osteoarthritis if you practice inversion on a regular basis. Inversion therapy does this by widening the space between the vertebrae in your spine, allowing more fluid in to heal your damaged discs. This won't happen immediately, but if you add inversion therapy into your daily routine, it can have great effects down the line.

Chiropractic Treatment

If your osteoarthritis is causing you severe discomfort, or if you are having difficulty moving your joints through a full range of motion, chiropractic can help restore your body to a pain-free state. Chiropractors are highly qualified professionals who specialize in managing spinal conditions. They are able to quickly diagnose any existing conditions and can act quickly to ensure the condition does not worsen over time. Chiropractors can help manage osteoarthritis by ensuring your spinal column stays perfectly aligned throughout your day-to-day life. They do this by checking for the presence of misalignments (or "subluxations") in the spine and adjusting the vertebrae back to its original position. This process can severely slow down the onset of osteoarthritis, as often it is this misalignment that speeds up the development of osteoarthritis. This is because, when your spine is out of balance, there is additional stress placed on the sponge-like discs that separate the vertebrae. By manipulating your spine into its original position, the additional stress from misalignment is removed and your spine is able to function at an optimal level.

Whilst chiropractic may not be able to reverse any damage that has been done to the discs, a course of treatment will be able to restore mobility to the spinal column and ensure that no further damage occurs. Therefore, if you are worried about the onset of osteoarthritis, speak to a qualified chiropractor about the options available.

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