Arthritic Pain
Arthritis is a condition that causes pain, swelling, inflammation and often stiffness in joints of the body. It is the leading cause of pain and disability in adults worldwide and the most common form of arthritis in the UK is osteoarthritis. This is frequently referred to as ‘wear and tear’ on the joints of the body, it is a degenerative joint condition that mostly affects people over 50. The joints of the spine and neck, knees, hips and the base of the toes and hands are most often affected by osteoarthritis.
“Just because you have been diagnosed with this degenerative condition, it doesn’t mean that nothing can be done to help prevent further deterioration, reduce your pain levels or improve your function.”
Osteopathy can help sufferers of arthritis in several ways:
Osteopathic treatment can mobilise the arthritic joint to maintain or increase their joint range of motion.
Osteopaths can mobilise joints adjacent to the arthritic joint so that they can take some of the stress and strain off the pathological joint. For example, if a patient has an arthritic hip, we would commonly work on the joints in the lower back to make sure they are working as well as possible.
Treatments may also work on the adjacent muscles of the arthritic joint as these soft tissues can tighten up because of the altered function of the joint, causing pain. For example, in the case of an arthritic hip, the muscles of the groin can tighten.
In some arthritis cases, patients are overweight. Being overweight puts more strain on the joints, which increases the chance of pain and further deterioration of the arthritic joint. But, because of the pain and stiffness associated with arthritis, it is often difficult to exercise to lose weight. Osteopaths can offer practical advice on how to lose weight with diet and suitable exercise for the individual patient.
Our osteopaths can advise on certain strengthening or flexibility exercises that can help support or reduce pressure on the arthritic joint.
Osteopaths can help with a maintenance programme. Since arthritis is a degenerative condition, osteopaths will encourage regular treatment – every 4 to 12 weeks once the acute phase of the pain has settled down. This is much the same as the way a dentist works, keeping on top of the body’s health before a bigger problem arises.
Certain foods have been shown to increase inflammation in the body, and therefore inflammation in the arthritic joint. These foods include processed sugar, fried foods and red meat. By limiting, or better excluding, these foods from your diet, you can reduce the pain associated with inflammation in the arthritic joint.
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