Osteoarthritis is a condition when the protective cartilage between tow bones is wearing which causes friction and therefore swelling ,tenderness and stiffness. It's the most common form of arthritis affecting many people mainly over the age of 50. Some symptoms can be mild and other very severe depending where it is in the body. Sometimes OA can be the cause of trapped nerves which can send shooting pains in the arms or legs.
Unfortunately the process of OA can't be reversed and many people end up having joint replacement when the symptoms are too severe to be managed. However in many cases, symptoms can be managed by staying active, maintaining a healthy weight and maintaining a healthy balanced diet.
How can Osteopathy help?
Our muscles, bones, ligaments and joints age when we are getting older, it's the normal process of ageing. However this does not mean that someone with Osteoarthritis has to endure more pain and stiffness in the joint. Osteopathy can help as a complement to GP care and pharmaceutical products.
It has been proven by research that Osteopathic treatment can help slow down the process of OA. As Osteopaths we see patients with OA on a daily basis. We work with each patient to support them in understanding how they can look after themselves in between treatments to minimise the symptoms and improve their quality of life. Treatment helps maintaining mobility in a joint, reduce stiffness and therefore tenderness.
How often do patients with OA need treatment?
Every patient is different and Osteoarthritis can sometimes be very mild and only give the occasional flare up days and sometimes the symptoms can be more severe with constant daily tenderness and stiffness. We tailor our treatment and care for each individual and to help along side treatment, we provide additional advice like nutritional tips, exercises and lifestyle changes to help maximise the effect of treatment and manage the condition. It's all about team work
