OsteoporosisWritten by Dr. Michael L. Johnson
Osteoporosis is a loss of bone density that can lead to serious fractures, including disabling hip fractures. It affects more than 25 million Americans, about 80% of them women. Low bone mineral density (BMD) has been associated with osteoporosis risk. An estimated 1.3 million fractures each year are caused by osteoporosis, and about half of patients who suffer a hip fracture never fully recover. Also, osteoporosis is a progressive disease. New methods have been approved for treatment and prevention of osteoporosis, so it’s important to catch it early, when drug therapy can greatly improve bone structure. Bone is a hard substance that forms framework around which body is built. That framework, or skeleton, contains over 200 separate bones that support and give shape to body and protect its vital organs. Contrary to a common misconception, bone is a living substance! In fact, bone is one of most active tissues in body. It is constantly being broken down and rebuilt in a process called remodeling, and like any other living tissue, it needs nourishment to stay strong and healthy. To begin the
| | Neck PainWritten by Dr. Michael L. Johnson
Pain in neck can be caused by irritation, inflammation, injury, or infection. Pain in neck, shoulder, arm, hand or head “most” frequently results from irritation of cervical nerve roots in region of intervertebral foramen, encroachment of vascular supply as it courses through vertebral canal, or invasion of cord in spinal canal. If unhealthy, neck’s normal forward curve may reduce, become straight, or “military,” or even reverse its curve. Over time arthritic changes in vertebrae such as lipping or spurring (bony growths); disc thinning or degeneration; or deterioration of muscles, ligaments and other structures may occur. In spite of all these changes, however, there may or may not be pain. In fact, studies show little or no correlation between degree of pain felt in neck and arthritis changes found on X-rays and MRI. Lipping, spurring, and other irregularities (osteoarthritis) do not in themselves constitute a disease but are rather defense mechanisms that arise to stabilize an off-balance spine. Recent research has shown that manipulative care can reverse some of effects of osteoarthritis - something that had previously been considered impossible.
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