Health Blog

You may have heard a health professional describe your spine as “degenerative” and it doesn’t sound good does it!!   I am always aware that this is a term commonly used by us in the business which actually often simply refers to the normal aging process in joints and the tissues around them. 

A degenerative joint can be the result of simple aging, old injuries, infection, past surgery or family tendencies.   

In reality, the joint quality is a bit stiffer and perhaps has less range of movement.  These aspects don’t always cause pain, however they make achieving certain activities a bit harder with an effect on other tissue.   Something simple like putting socks on requires a combination of movement in your leg joints combined with movement of the spine.  In this example if an area of the spine is stiffer and has reduced range of movement it is likely that some tissue may be stretched further than it is able, with a resultant pain reaction. 

“Degenerative” joints can generally be worked on through treatment to specifically articulate the joint and followed up with REGULAR exercises.  Stretching when you have pain can be counter productive as you may be stretching tissue that has been damaged by being stretched too far.    Having the discipline to stretch when everything feels good is when the most benefit can be achieved.  Movement creates synovial fluid, that cushions and lubricates the joint.  

Using the spine as an example, an MRI scan report will typically describe the appearance of a narrower and darker disc as a degenerative one.  A healthy one will appear white where there is plenty of fluid present.   

The site where there is loss of movement may not actually be the site of pain, quite often the joints adjacent that are actually healthy may get strained as they have to carry more work for the joint that is not working so well.   

Osteopaths will identify these patterns of movement through case history and examination, in particular we use palpation to assess the quality and range of joint function by feeling the joint as we apply a passive movement to it.  

Mark Pitcairn-Knowles

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