Drug-free alternatives for arthritis By Russell Brokstein, D.C. In our country, lower back pain is the second most common reason patients seek the help of a medical doctor. Physical therapy by itself rarely provides long-lasting corrective results.A recent study conducted under the leadership of Dr.Scott F.Nadler,of the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey in Newark,concluded that core conditioning hasn't proven to be worthwhile in counteracting lower back pain.With the recent media blitz regarding commonly prescribed medications such asVioxx or Celebrex and over-the-counter remedies such asAleve,effective medical treatment options are dwindling. Medical doctors are overwhelmed with patients who want to know what they can do to help their neck and back pain, sciatica and arthritis.And,with so many warnings about prescription and over-the-counter drugs, they want the drug-free approach. Most people don't realize that osteoarthritis is predominately caused by joint instability. In other words, if a joint is out of alignment, the body goes into action to produce and"lay down"calcium in an attempt to fuse the two joints together. This is why you see bone spurs of different lengths and sizes with osteoarthritis. This fusion is your body's way of trying to stabilize the joint.This usually takes years to develop,and causes a host of physical limitations,problems and pain. An amazing research quote says that chiropractic care can actually prevent arthritis.This research states:"If joint immobility is not corrected within two weeks,osteoarthritis becomes permanent";" Permanent changes cannot be reversed"; and,even more importantly, that "Restoring mobility to the joint will prevent it [arthritis] from progressing." Source:Clinical Biomechanics reported as far back as 1987 (issue 2:223-229). Chiropractic doctors are the only doctors in the world who are trained to locate, analyze and correct spinal subluxations.Subluxations are vertebrae that are misaligned and cause nerve interference. Interestingly enough, these subluxations (vertebrae out of place) are also likely to show signs of osteoarthritis if left uncorrected for many years. What we know is true: If joint instability precedes osteoarthritis, then joint stability must prevent or stop it.Have your spine checked for subluxations.Don't wait for arthritic spinal problems when you can prevent them now. In a recent Gallup poll,90 percent of all people who visited a chiropractor agreed that their care was effective. (www.holisticonline.com) Russell Brokstein, D.C, practices at Hometown FamilyWellness Center, located at 9 Broadway, Freehold. For a complementary consultation during the month of November, or for more information, call (732) 780-0044 or visit www.hometownfamilywellnesscenter.com.