Osteoarthritis

conditions

Osteoarthritis

How can an osteopath help with osteoarthritis?

An osteopath can help manage osteoarthritis (OA) by focusing on improving joint function, reducing pain, and enhancing mobility without relying on medication or surgery. While osteopathy doesn’t “cure” osteoarthritis, it can significantly improve quality of life for people living with the condition. Here’s how an osteopath can help:

Pain Relief through Manual Therapy

Joint mobilizations: Osteopaths use gentle, controlled techniques to improve the range of motion of affected joints, helping to reduce stiffness and alleviate discomfort. For example, for knee or hip OA, mobilization can ease tightness and improve fluid movement in the joint.
Soft tissue work: Techniques like massage and myofascial release can help to relax tight muscles around the affected joint, reduce muscle tension, and improve blood flow, which can help relieve pain.
Lymphatic drainage: This can help reduce swelling and inflammation in the affected area, further improving comfort and mobility.

Reducing Muscle Tension

Improving Joint Mobility and Function

OA often results in decreased range of motion in the affected joint due to cartilage breakdown, joint stiffness, and muscle weakness. Osteopaths use mobilization techniques to encourage gentle movement and keep the joint fluid, which helps to preserve function and prevent further stiffness.
Addressing compensatory movement patterns: If OA is affecting a joint (e.g., the knee or hip), the body may develop faulty movement patterns to compensate for pain. Osteopaths can help correct these movements, reducing undue stress on other joints or muscles.

Postural and Biomechanical Corrections

Postural alignment: Osteopaths assess posture and identify any misalignments that may put additional strain on joints with OA. For example, a misaligned pelvis can affect how weight is distributed through the hips and knees, worsening pain.
Gait analysis and correction: If OA affects weight-bearing joints like the knees or hips, an osteopath can assess how you walk (your gait) and offer techniques to correct any imbalances that might exacerbate your symptoms.
Leg length discrepancies: If there’s a difference in leg length, it can worsen joint stress, and an osteopath might suggest exercises, orthotics, or adjustments to correct this.

Strengthening and Flexibility Exercises

Targeted strengthening: Building strength around the affected joint can help provide more support and reduce pain. For example, strengthening the quadriceps can help relieve pressure on the knee joint in people with knee OA.
Flexibility exercises: Osteopaths often prescribe stretching exercises to maintain the mobility of the joints and muscles around them. For instance, stretching the hip flexors can help relieve discomfort in people with hip OA.

Advice on Lifestyle and Activity Modification

Exercise: Osteopaths emphasize staying active to manage OA symptoms. Low-impact exercises like swimming, cycling, or walking can help maintain joint function and reduce pain, without further damaging the joint.
Joint protection strategies: They may teach you techniques to reduce stress on your joints during daily activities (e.g., proper lifting techniques, using assistive devices when necessary).
Weight management: In cases of OA in weight-bearing joints like the knees or hips, losing excess weight can reduce the load on the joints, helping to ease pain and improve function. An osteopath might offer advice or refer you to a nutritionist.

Holistic and Personalised Approach

Individualised care: An osteopath will tailor your treatment to the specific joint affected by OA and take into account your overall health, activity level, and any other conditions that may be impacting your symptoms.
Reducing reliance on painkillers: While osteopathy doesn’t replace medical treatments, it can often reduce the need for pain medication by addressing the root causes of pain and improving movement and function.

Education and Self-Management

Teaching you how to manage flare-ups: Osteopaths will teach you how to manage pain when it flares up, such as using heat/cold therapy, self-massage, and gentle exercises.
Preventing further degeneration: By maintaining joint mobility and strength, osteopathy can help prevent the progression of OA and preserve the function of your joints for as long as possible.

Conditions where Osteopathy can be Beneficial

How Effective is Osteopathy for OA?

Osteopathy can significantly improve symptoms, especially when combined with other management strategies like physical therapy, weight management, and medication as needed. Many patients find that osteopathy can help them manage pain better, maintain function, and improve their overall quality of life.

clinic@bexosteos.co.uk

01322 529 326

Osteoarthritis

conditions

Osteoarthritis

How can an osteopath help with osteoarthritis?

Conditions where Osteopathy can be Beneficial

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