Arthritis & Manual Osteopathy

A few weeks ago I covered the effects of Joint pain & Manual Osteopathy. Today I will continue in-depth with a sub-blog about arthritis. Manual Osteopathy is a great addition to help reduce pain and discomfort caused by arthritis.

Arthritis is an inflammation of the joints, it can affect single or multiple joints, the most common types of arthritis are Osteoarthritis (OA) and Rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Arthritis usually develops over time as we age (common in adults over the age of 65), but they may also appear earlier (teens, and younger adults) in some people. 

Arthritis is more common in women than men and in people who are overweight. Common symptoms include joint pain, stiffness, and swelling, which leads to a decrease in range of motion and irritation between joints. 

What causes Arthritis?

Heavy stress, wear and tear causes cartilage tissues to reduce, losing cartilage between joints can lead to arthritis. Cartilage is a flexible connective tissue in our joints, it helps with shock absorption and reduces stress-related impacts. 

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of arthritis, typically caused by wear and tear of the cartilage. The irritation from the injury or infection can lead to inflammation on the joints, making it difficult to perform basic tasks. 

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disorder, it occurs when the immune system attacks the tissues in our body. The attacks affect the synovium, a soft tissue that produces a fluid aiding with joint lubrication and cartilage nourishment.

Low bone density caused by hormonal imbalances or malabsorption can also affect rates of arthritis seen in the population. Excessive consumptions of diuretics often found in high caffeine sources reduce the healthy bone absorption rate, leading to malabsorption. Weak bones affect cartilage health and aid in arthritis. Women are more prone to arthritis due to hormonal imbalances during menstruation, leading to the loss of essential vitamins and minerals in the system. This can lead to malabsorption of macro and micronutrients and lowers bone density. 

Studies have found a correlation between overweight and arthritis, excess weight gain creates excess stress on the joints. Heavy load stress on joints can damage cartilage tissue and cause joint inflammation and stiffness.  

Can manual therapy help? 

Combining therapy with medication and a change in lifestyle will do wonders for your health. Manual Osteopathy will help increase range of motion to reduce stiffness in the joints, mobility based training will strengthen muscles around the affected joints. Mobilization can also aid in proper blood and nutrient circulation of the muscles and tissues aiding in healthy joint cartilage.