Arthritis - Chelmsford Osteopathy Clinic
What is arthritis?
Arthritis is a common condition that causes inflammation, pain and stiffness in the joints. It can affect people of all ages and can be caused by a variety of factors, including age, genetics, injury and autoimmune disorders.
There are many different types of arthritis, but the most common include:
Osteoarthritis (OA): This is the most common type of arthritis that affects the joints of the knees, hips and spine and tends to be due to ageing changes, previous injury or trauma. OA typically affects older adults and can cause pain, stiffness and reduced mobility due to the cartilage that cushions the joints begins to wear away, which then reduces the joint space. As the condition progresses, the joint can become deformed, which results in the symptoms of pain, which can then affect everyday activities and impact on quality of life. Although this condition is irreversible, there are many strategies that can help slow its progression, which will be discussed during an appointment.
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA): RA is what we refer to as a systemic condition, which is an autoimmune disorder that occurs when the body’s immune system starts to attack the lining of the joints. Unfortunately, this results in inflammation and pain and can affect people of all ages and if left untreated can cause joint damage.
Psoriatic arthritis: Is a type of arthritis that occurs in people with a skin condition known as psoriasis, which causes red, scaly patches on the skin and can also affect the nails and eyes.
Gout: This is a type of arthritis that occurs when uric acid crystals build up in the joints, causing inflammation and pain. It typically affects the big toe, but can also affect other joints.
Juvenile idiopathic arthritis: This is a type of arthritis that occurs in children and adolescents under the age of 16. It can cause joint pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility and can also affect growth and development.
How can an osteopath help?
Here at Chelmsford Osteopathy clinic, our aim of treatment is to first identify the underlying cause of your pain. Once you have been assessed, we will have a greater understanding of your type of arthritis and will then develop an individualised treatment plan that is focused on reducing your pain with an appreciation of your specific needs and goals. This will include a variety of non-invasive, safe, gentle and effective hands-on techniques to improve your joint movement and to relieve tension out of the surrounding muscles so that the joint surfaces have more space between them. This will also encourage increased fluid within the joint, which will help with mobility and enhance your quality of life.
Although osteopathy cannot undo the damage caused by arthritis, it can be managed effectively and osteopaths are best placed to offer lifestyle and exercise advice, as recommended in the national guidelines.
As like most conditions, treatment and periods of recovery are very much specific to the individual and the severity of their condition. Below are some tips to help you manage your pain and the risk of developing arthritis.
Regular exercise and staying active are key components of managing arthritis, as they can help to strengthen the muscles around the joints which can reduce the load through the joint. Low-impact exercises such as walking, swimming, cycling, pilates and yoga can be particularly helpful.
Maintaining a healthy weight and making some dietary changes, such as reducing inflammation-causing foods and increasing intake of anti-inflammatory foods can help reduce stress on the joints and alleviate arthritis symptoms.
Using heat or cold therapy can help manage the pain of arthritis. Applying a warm compress or taking a warm bath, can help to improve circulation and reduce stiffness, while cold therapy, such as ice packs can help reduce inflammation, swelling and pain.
And lastly, it is important to manage stress and focus on improving sleep hygiene to help the body rest.
So if you are suffering from any type of arthritis pain, or know anybody who is, please do not hesitate to contact the clinic at info@Chelmsfordosteopathyclinic.co.uk or call 07440 498109 to book an appointment.
