Ray Clark, from Braintree, has been a gamekeeper and farm worker for over 40 years. Ten years ago, the 65-year old, started feeling pain in his knees when he was walking around the estate; X-rays revealed he would need a knee-replacement within the next three years.
He did nothing for a couple of years, then he visited Arif at Cliffs Chiropractic Clinic, for a consultation.
Ray had led a physical life which over time reduced the cartilage lining the bony surfaces of his knees.This is known as degeneration or osteoarthritis. The roughening of the moving surfaces creates friction and inflammation, resulting in joint stiffness and, often, pain in the surrounding muscles and ligaments. Physically examining and x-raying Ray’s knees confirmed the diagnosis.
The treatment would involve chiropractic to adjust and improve the movement, acupuncture to reduce the acute inflammation and supplements and nutrients to improve the cartilage and reduce the chronic inflammation that occurs in conditions like osteoarthritis.
Even though Ray’s osteoarthritis is advanced the treatment has delayed the need for a replacement by several years and he can continue working as normal.
Ray says, “I’ve had eight years of monthly acupuncture, and take daily glucosamine with chondroitin and MSM (methylsulfonylmethane) supplements, which help my flexibility.
“Of course, I have my good days and my bad days but I’ve been able to work on the estate unhindered by pain since I started my treatment. At 65 I feel very fit, in fact fitter than ever and, importantly, I don’t need a knee replacement operation.
“Not yet at any rate.”
It may be the month for smouldering flames and crackling fireworks, but if your muscles regularly leave you feeling “the burn”, it could be down to something more than those everyday aches and pains.