With the passing of time, our bodies get older. With age come changes that cannot be fought. Instead it pays to understand them and learn how to help yourself.
Health professionals often describe back or knee pain as "degenerative changes". This refers to osteoarthritis, a degenerative joint disease. It is most common in the neck and lower back, followed by peripheral joints such as the knees.
What is happening in the joint
In osteoarthritis of the spine, the spaces between the vertebrae narrow. Bone spurs (osteophytes) can form as pressure on the vertebrae increases, with new bone laid down to help distribute that pressure. Those spurs can impinge on spinal nerves, causing shooting pain on movement as the nerve is compressed. When bony surfaces rub together at the facet joints, the area becomes inflamed and painful. Gradually the spine stiffens and loses flexibility.
Osteoarthritis can affect peripheral joints in much the same way. In the knee, it often begins with damage to a structure such as the meniscus (the shock absorber during activity). The body attempts repair, but inflammatory cells are released which damage the joint cartilage, and the osteoarthritis process begins.
What helps
Freeing up stiffened joints is one of the most effective ways to manage osteoarthritic pain and reduce disability. Reducing tension in the muscles around the affected joint helps reduce pain and inflammation. Targeted exercises empower self-management between sessions, which matters as much as the in-clinic work.