Joint Effort: Arthritis and Chiropractic Care

If your joints are feeling a little more ‘rusty’ than ‘ready to go’, arthritis may be the reason. Whether you’ve started noticing stiffness in your joints, suspect you may have arthritis or have been recently diagnosed, then this blog post is for you!

Arthritis can affect anyone, at just about any age.

Let’s take a closer look at what arthritis is, the different types, how it can affect your movement and where chiropractic care can fit into managing your symptoms. 

What is Arthritis?

You’ve all heard the words, “it’s just because you’re getting older”. Despite what many believe, arthritis is not only a normal part of aging. The term arthritis refers to a group of conditions that affect the joints, often causing symptoms like pain, stiffness, swelling and reduced movement. It can affect people of all ages and can range from occasional mild discomfort to symptoms which impact every day life.

Arthritis can affect almost any joint in the body including the knees, hips, hands, spine and shoulders. The way it develops and how it affects the body can depend on the type of arthritis. There are many different types of arthritis, but the ones seen most often include osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

Types of Arthritis:

Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis and is often referred to as “wear and tear”. This is the type of arthritis most associated with aging. Although this can be a little misleading. OA occurs when the tissues within a joint gradually change and become less resilient over time. This can affect the cartilage, bone and other structures within and around the joint.  Yes, this change can begin due to aging, but it can also be kickstarted by previous injuries, genetics or body weight.

Common symptoms include joint pain, stiffness, reduced range of motion and sometimes swelling or tenderness. Symptoms may be more noticeable with certain activities or after periods of inactivity, and they can vary from person to person.

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune condition in which the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks the lining of the joints. This causes inflammation that can lead to pain, swelling, stiffness and reduced joint function. Unlike osteoarthritis, which primarily involves changes within the joint, rheumatoid arthritis is a systemic inflammatory condition and can affect other parts of the body too.

RA commonly affects the hands, wrists and feet, often on both sides of the body. Morning stiffness that lasts for an extended period, swollen joints and fatigue are common symptoms. If left poorly controlled, ongoing inflammation can cause damage to the joints and surrounding tissues.

Chiropractic care:

So, where does chiropractic care fit into arthritis management? While chiropractic care cannot reverse arthritis or “cure” the condition, it can form part of a broader approach to managing symptoms and maintaining movement.

Treatment is focused on the individual and their symptoms, with the aim of improving joint mobility, reducing muscle tension and helping patients move more comfortably. Depending on the type and severity of arthritis, this may include gentle joint mobilisation, soft-tissue techniques, stretching, exercise advice and appropriate strengthening.

For patients with osteoarthritis, maintaining movement and strength can be particularly important for supporting joint function and everyday activities. Treatment techniques are adapted according to the affected joint, the severity of symptoms and the individual's overall health.

For inflammatory conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, chiropractic care can complement and work alongside your existing medical care, with the aim of supporting function and managing musculoskeletal related symptoms.

Ultimately, the goal isn't to “fix” the arthritis—it’s to help you keep moving, stay active and manage the musculoskeletal symptoms that may come along with it.

Book with Dr Hannah