Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis, and a very common cause of joint pain and stiffness, particularly as we get older. It is often described in alarming terms, but the reality is usually far more manageable than people fear: staying active and strong is one of the best things for an osteoarthritic joint, and a great deal can be done to keep you comfortable and moving. At Back in Action in Penwortham, we care for people across Preston and Lancashire living with osteoarthritis.
Understanding osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis involves changes to a joint over time — the smooth cartilage that lines the joint gradually thins, and the bone and surrounding tissues adapt in response. It most often affects the knees, hips, hands and spine. Although it is commonly called “wear and tear”, that phrase is a little misleading, as the joint is not simply wearing out like a machine part; it is a living structure that is actively changing, and how it feels depends on much more than the changes seen on a scan.
This last point is important and reassuring. The degree of change on an X-ray is a poor predictor of how much pain someone has — many people with significant changes have little trouble, while others with modest changes have more. This means that, even though we cannot reverse the changes themselves, there is a great deal of room to influence how a joint feels and functions, largely through staying active, strong and well supported.
The old idea that an arthritic joint should be “saved” by resting it has largely been overturned. We now know that appropriate movement and exercise help nourish the joint, maintain its range, and strengthen the muscles that protect it. Sensible activity is not wearing the joint out faster; it is one of the most effective things you can do for it.
What osteoarthritis can feel like
Symptoms vary depending on which joint is affected and from one person to the next, but commonly include:
- Joint pain that is often worse with activity and eases with rest, at least early on
- Stiffness, particularly first thing in the morning or after a spell of sitting
- A joint that feels less flexible, or makes grating or clicking sensations with movement
- Difficulty with specific tasks, such as stairs, kneeling or gripping, depending on the joint
- Occasional swelling or a feeling of the joint being “tight”
- Pain that responds well to gentle activity but flares if you overdo things
- Symptoms that fluctuate, with better and worse spells, rather than steadily worsening
The fluctuating nature of osteoarthritis is worth knowing: a flare-up does not mean the joint is rapidly deteriorating, and good spells are just as real as the bad ones. Flare-ups often settle back down with sensible management, and understanding this helps take some of the worry out of the bad days, which in turn makes them easier to ride out.
Common causes and risk factors
Osteoarthritis develops from a mix of factors, including:
- Age, which is the single biggest factor
- Previous joint injuries earlier in life
- Being female, as some forms of osteoarthritis are more common in women
- Genetics, which influence how our joints age over the years
- Carrying extra weight, which increases load on the joints
- Sometimes the demands of certain occupations or activities over many years
- Reduced activity and muscle weakness, which can make symptoms more noticeable
While some of these cannot be changed, others — particularly activity, strength and weight — can be influenced, and these are exactly the things that most affect how a joint feels.
When to seek help
Osteoarthritis is not dangerous, but it is worth seeking help if joint pain is limiting your life. Please see your GP if a joint becomes hot, red and swollen with a fever, which can suggest a different problem such as infection or an inflammatory arthritis, if a joint suddenly locks or gives way, or if symptoms are severe and not responding to sensible measures, as a range of medical options may help.
How chiropractic care can help
It is important to be clear about what care can and cannot do. While chiropractic care cannot reverse osteoarthritis — and we would never claim it can — it can help a great deal with the pain, stiffness and loss of movement that often come with it, and with keeping you active and confident. Following a thorough assessment, our hands-on, drug-free care may include gentle mobilisation to help affected and surrounding joints move more freely, soft-tissue work to ease muscular tension, and — central to managing osteoarthritis — a graded exercise programme to build the strength that supports and protects the joints. Because we are a multi-practitioner clinic, we can also draw on physiotherapy. The aim is to keep you active, comfortable and confident, and we are glad to work alongside your GP.
What to expect at Back in Action
Your first visit is mostly about understanding which joints are affected and how osteoarthritis is impacting your life. We will take a careful history and carry out a physical examination of the affected joints and your movement. We will explain what we have found in plain language — including honest reassurance about what the changes do and do not mean — and discuss a sensible plan. Because osteoarthritis is a long-term condition rather than an injury that simply heals, much of our focus is on helping you manage it well over time: easing flare-ups, and giving you the means to keep yourself moving comfortably between them. You can read more on our new patients page, with current charges on the fees page, and we will review your progress as we go.
Helping yourself: self-care and wellbeing
Staying active and strong is the single most helpful thing you can do for an osteoarthritic joint:
- Keep moving and avoid long periods of inactivity, which tends to stiffen joints
- Take regular, gentle exercise — walking, swimming and cycling are usually well tolerated
- Use warmth to ease stiffness, particularly before activity
- Build and maintain strength in the muscles supporting the affected joints
- Manage your weight where relevant, which meaningfully reduces the load on the joints
- Pace activity sensibly to manage flare-ups, while staying as active as you comfortably can
If you would like guidance tailored to you, we can build a safe, progressive exercise and self-care plan around your particular joints, building up sensibly so that activity helps rather than aggravates. The aim is to give you sustainable habits that keep your joints as comfortable and capable as possible.
Related conditions and treatments
Osteoarthritis is closely linked to knee pain, hip pain, lumbar spondylosis and chronic pain. The care we provide draws on approaches such as exercise and rehabilitation and chiropractic manipulation, and may form part of a wider plan alongside our chiropractic and physiotherapy services.
Take the first step
If osteoarthritis is getting in the way of your life, you do not have to simply put up with it. We are happy to talk it through and help you understand how to stay active and comfortable. You can get in touch to book an appointment, or to ask any questions before your first visit.