Joint Pain & Manual Osteopathy

Joints are one of the most important parts of our body, they form connections between bones, and provides support and cushion between our bones. Damage to the joint from injury or diseases (degeneration) can cause pain and discomfort impacting our movement and well being. 
Osteoarthritis, strains, sprains, bursitis, rheumatoid arthritis, and gout are some of the common conditions that can lead to joint pain. 
Knee, hip and shoulder are the most common locations of joint based injury or pain. Studies have shown one -third of adults suffer from joint pain is a month to month basis. These can be acute (short term) pain from work and sports-related injury to chronic (long term) conditions caused by diseases, postural conditions, malnutrition, and age-related symptoms. 


In all cases, pain occurs due to inflammation on the joints and degeneration of the cartilage.
Inflammation irritates movement and often reduces our range of motion. 

• Common symptoms and sign on joint pain include: 
  • Joint redness and swelling 
  • Tenderness and warmth 
  • Limping and weakness 
  • Joint locking and stiffness
  • Loss of range of motion 

There are various effective treatment options to help reduce pain and allow proper joint healing. 

• 1) Manual therapy: Osteopathy is a great treatment option for individuals suffering from joint pains. The therapist can help stabilize the joint, strengthen the surrounding muscles around the joint and improve range of motion. Using various mobilization techniques and a combination of cold and hot therapy provides great results. 
• 2) Exercise: If you are overweight, excess pressure on the joints can cause pain and discomfort. Proper exercise, with low-impact (swimming, walking, bike) for beginners can be a great way for individuals to lose weight relieving pressure on painful joints. 
• 3) Medications: Anti-inflammatories can provide relief and reduce irritation for a moderate to severe pain for a short period.
• 4) Alternative Treatment: Adding supplements to your daily diet can help with joint pain and improve function. Glucosamine, curcumin, and chondroitin are good options to check out, they can be found in capsule, tablet or liquid form. They may not work for everyone but are much safer without any significant side effects.