June 02, 2015

Odd bedfellows, eh? Not so much!

Osteoporosis and diabetes are linked with the advent of technology today. Johnson Chiropractic sees both of these diseases as Johnson Chiropractic cares for Richmond chiropractic back pain and neck pain patients. To see how they are related is interesting!
  • Osteoporosis - a troublesome health issue due to the higher risk of bone fracture and death in middle aged and older folks
  • Diabetes - a troubling health issue due to its cumulative effect on its sufferers of all ages
image of an xray of a spine

 

 
So how might diabetes lead to osteoporosis? Well, as any Richmond diabetic knows, diabetes affects many body organs from bone cells (osteoblasts and osteoclasts) to muscles to the eye’s retina to the nervous, endocrine and digestive systems. Geez! Bottomline for this discussion: diabetes decreases muscle strength through its multitude of effects that increases fall risk that may lead to bone fractures. (1) What a cycle! A related cycle: having had a wrist fracture puts post-menopausal women at higher risk for future fractures to. 15.5% of post-menopausal women who experienced a wrist fracture had another non-wrist related fracture - hip, vertebrae, upper extremity, and lower extremity - later in life. (2) So Johnson Chiropractic encourages diabetic patients to keep diabetes under control as best as possible is a positive move for Richmond diabetics.

But how are they related and how does technology play into the equation? “Abdominal adiposity!” In common language, it’s a bit too much fat around the middle. This condition sets some Richmond folks up for special health challenges like cardiovascular diseases and diabetes type 2. It may even be considered a cause of these diseases. Interestingly, when dual-energy xray absorptiometry (DEXA scans) are used to identify those at risk for osteoporosis, a side finding is telling. DEXA scans’ ability to measure tissue thickness reveals that a greater spine-hip thickness difference is significantly associated with a greater chance of diabetes. This association is stronger in women than men. (3) So Richmond ladies, let’s take a closer look at your DEXA scan at your next Richmond chiropractic appointment!

Contact Johnson Chiropractic today. Chiropractic care and overall healthcare management are common bedfellows! Richmond chiropractic patients benefit hugely!