Arthritis
What is Arthritis?
The term “arthritis” is a broadly used term and commonly misunderstood. For this section we will discuss the most common form of arthritis which is osteoarthritis (also called degenerative arthritis, degenerative joint disease, DJD, or spondylosis in the spine). Rheumatoid arthritis has a completely different cause. Degenerative arthritis affects almost everyone to some extent over the age of 50, and for this reason is often said “it is just part of getting old.” Unfortunately many people accept unnecessary amounts of pain thinking they are just too old. Degenerative arthritis occurs when the cartilage in a joint begins to break down causing stress to the sensitive bone tissue the cartilage lines and protects. This leads to a gradual breakdown of the joint and boney ridges (called osteophytes or bone spurs) develop due to the abnormal mechanics of the joint. These bone spurs can put pressure to soft tissues or delicate nerves which can affect the function of internal organs. Given enough time the cartilage will wear away completely and the joint will fuse. Risk factors include subluxation, past trauma, occupation, activities, weight, diet, and heredity. Symptoms of DJD range from slight stiffness all the way to severe pain.
Gonstead Chiropractic and Arthritis
It is interesting to note that osteoarthritis always develops in specific joints, and not evenly through the entire body. For instance a person may have one arthritic knee, but not two, or they may have arthritis in the lower neck, but not the entire spine. If degenerative arthritis were simply part of getting older it would affect all joints in the body nearly equal. The majority of elderly people still have many joints in their spine and body that have no arthritis at all. The reason only some joints are affected is because of increased stresses to those joints resulting from biomechanical problems. One such common problem is a spinal subluxation (abnormal position and motion in a spinal joint producing nerve irritation). With a subluxation the joint loses its full range of motion and in essence becomes fixated or “stuck”. In each cartilage-containing joint a lubricating fluid called synovial fluid exists to keep the cartilage healthy. It works much like motor oil in your car. Movement in the joint replenishes the supply of synovial fluid. A stuck joint will have a decreased production of this lubricating fluid causing the cartilage to become dry, brittle, and lead to breakdown. Gonstead chiropractic helps to reestablish normal motion and mechanics in arthritic joints allowing for increased range of motion and slowing of the degenerative process. Studies have even shown a reversal in degenerative arthritis through chiropractic care.
Our Office
About the Team
At Holistic Health Solutions, we believe that at the root of every symptom there lies a cause. We aim not only to bring rapid relief, but understand that only treatments that address the actual cause will have lasting benefit beyond symptom suppression. Our unique approach assesses biomechanics, lifestyle, genetics and laboratory testing to custom tailor a treatment plan for optimized recovery.
About The Team
At Holistic Health Solutions, we believe that at the root of every symptom there lies a cause. We aim not only to bring rapid relief, but understand that only treatments that address the actual cause will have lasting benefit beyond symptom suppression. Our unique approach assesses biomechanics, lifestyle, genetics and laboratory testing to custom tailor a treatment plan for optimized recovery.
Meet Dr. Matt French
Upon graduating from graduate school, Dr. Matt French headed west and began practice in 1998 in the valley. It was after sustaining a neck fracture in a diving accident at the age of 20 that he first developed an interest in health care as a profession. His own experiences with pain and recovery gives him true understanding as to what his patients endure. In his over 20 years of practice, Dr. French has seen many thousands of patients including doctors, surgeons, celebrities and professional athletes. As a sought out health consultant he has appeared on FOX 10, Good Morning Arizona, 12 News NBC, ABC15, CBS 5 and talk radio. Often described as “the man with the magic hands”, Dr. French has an uncanny ability to pinpoint and relieve pain.
He and wife, Megan, have 2 daughters. Both he and his wife are avid cyclists and have both been Arizona state champions. Dr. French has played drums professionally, and regularly plays for his church. He is also an Adjunct Professor teaching both Anatomy & Physiology and Kinesiology to pre-med students.
Meet Dr. Matt French
Upon graduating from graduate school, Dr. Matt French headed west and began practice in 1998 in the valley. It was after sustaining a neck fracture in a diving accident at the age of 20 that he first developed an interest in health care as a profession. His own experiences with pain and recovery gives him true understanding as to what his patients endure. In his over 20 years of practice, Dr. French has seen many thousands of patients including doctors, surgeons, celebrities and professional athletes. As a sought out health consultant he has appeared on FOX 10, Good Morning Arizona, 12 News NBC, ABC15, CBS 5 and talk radio. Often described as “the man with the magic hands”, Dr. French has an uncanny ability to pinpoint and relieve pain.
He and wife, Megan, have 2 daughters. Both he and his wife are avid cyclists and have both been Arizona state champions. Dr. French has played drums professionally, and regularly plays for his church. He is also an Adjunct Professor teaching both Anatomy & Physiology and Kinesiology to pre-med students.
