I came across two different published research studies on the last week and wanted to share them with you. One was just released the other one is about 10 years old. You’ll see in a moment why they say Motion is Lotion.
In the paper that was just released last month the researchers showed that “Using anti-inflammatory medications like steroids or ibuprofen may relieve pain in the short-term setting, but a new study suggests this may lead to chronic pain. Research published in the journal Science Translational Medicine led by clinicians at McGill University in Canada suggests that it may be time to re-examine how pain is treated in the short term and how that translates to long-term pain.”
Did you read that carefully?
Over-the-counter, and commonly prescribed pain killing drugs may lead to chronic pain. How can that be?
After an injury, inflammation starts to increase throughout the body. This is the body’s natural response to infection or injury, and as inflammation increases, the person may feel pain in stronger amounts. However, blocking these natural inflammation pathways may result in possible long-term and chronic consequences.
Seriously?
One of the researchers is quoted saying “It’s possible that that inflammation that the body naturally makes might be there for a reason”. This is where I shake my head! Seriously? Of course inflammation is there for a reason! It’s one of the first steps in the healing process. Your body’s innate intelligence is responding to an area of macrotrauma (car accident, slip on ice, fall on the stairs) or repeated microtrauma (sleep position, work habits, driving position). Interrupt the inflammatory process and you interrupt healing. Biochemistry 101.
The second research article I read last week showed that movement of the spinal joints (segmental joint motion) is key to the health of each spinal joint, the muscles around that joint, the function of the joint and the quality of life that depends on that joint. Joints that lose motion develop scar tissue and degenerate, they become inflamed and tender from repeated damage and so do the muscles around those joints.
As a result, pain and stiffness are experienced as well as a lack of muscle coordination, strength and stamina, all of which combine to reduce the ability to perform daily activities of living. A significant reduction in the quality of life is the inevitable result over time.
Motion is Lotion
Here’s the take home message: we know there is a massive impact on the nerve system from a single chiropractic adjustment. That is always our focus. But even if all chiropractors did was make the joints move better and keep them moving well, a person’s overall function, movement and quality of life would be better. You cannot be fully healthy without normal joint movement.
Here’s the first article and here’s the second one.
