Karen Baker BSc, DC
Most of my patients have heard me say something like “move it or lose it” or “motion is lotion”. Well, as a chiropractor, this is my model; “It’s all about motion” is my mantra. Movement is fundamental to a healthy body. And for the joints, lack of motion means death, literally (cell death, really). We often forget that the tissues that make up the body are alive. They consist of millions of cells busy working to keep us doing what we’re doing. These cells require energy and materials to continue to perform their daily jobs.
Most of our cells receive nutrients via blood vessels (capillaries). One notable exception is the cartilage that lines our moveable synovial joints. This tissue does not have its own blood supply. These cells depend on the regular motion of the joint to squish the synovial fluid into these tissues (a process called imbibition) so that this nutrient filled fluid can be absorbed into the cells. Without this process, the cells of the cartilage do not receive the nutrients they need to thrive or even survive. As these cell degenerate, the cartilage barrier between the bones becomes thin. As the bones get closer and closer together they will start to grow towards each other forming bony spurs (called osteophytes) in an attempt to fuse this unused joint. This, although simplified, is the process of osteoarthritis (OA).
This process also applies to our spine. These same synovial joints exist between the vertebrae, allowing our torso to bend and twist. The detrimental effects of a sedentary lifestyle are numerous, and to the spine - disastrous.
The best thing we can do for all of our joints is keep them moving through their full range of motion – every day.
