Are your joints feeling creaky or stiff? If every step sounds like a crunch or your fingers have become less nimble, you might be dealing with arthritis. This common condition affects joints and can occur for people of any age, not just the elderly. You’re not alone though! Call Body@Boronia in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs on 03 9762 9445 today to make an appointment, our osteopaths are here to help.
What is arthritis?
Arthritis refers to inflammation of the joints, leading to pain, swelling, stiffness, and reduced movement. While there are over 100 types, the following are the most common:
Main types of arthritis
- Osteoarthritis (OA): Known as “wear-and-tear” arthritis, OA occurs when cartilage that cushions bones deteriorates, causing the bones to rub together. This friction results in pain, swelling, and stiffness, commonly affecting the knees, hips, hands, and spine.
- Rheumatoid arthritis (RA): RA is an autoimmune condition where the immune system attacks synovium (the joint lining). This causes inflammation that can damage the joints, leading to pain, deformities, and loss of function. RA typically affects joints symmetrically, so if one foot or hand is affected, the other usually is too.
- Psoriatic arthritis: This type often develops in individuals with psoriasis. The immune system attacks both the skin (resulting in red, scaly patches) and joints, particularly the synovium and entheses (where tendons and ligaments attach to bones). Psoriatic arthritis can affect any joint and may also cause finger and toe swelling, as well as nail changes.
How osteopaths can help with your arthritis
Although arthritis has no cure, osteopathy may help manage symptoms:
- Pain relief: Osteopaths use techniques such as gentle joint mobilisation and soft tissue manipulation to ease pain and improve joint function. These methods are intended to enhance circulation and reduce muscle tension around affected joints.
- Improved mobility: Osteopathy focuses on restoring movement and improving joint function. Techniques like stretching, joint articulation, and myofascial release may help increase your range of motion and ease daily tasks.
- Personalised exercise programs: Your osteopath will create a customised exercise plan to strengthen muscles around your joints, improve flexibility, and reduce strain.
- Holistic approach: Osteopathy addresses the whole body, looking at postural issues, muscle imbalances, and lifestyle factors that might contribute to arthritis, providing a well-rounded treatment plan.
Conclusion
Arthritis doesn’t have to sideline you. We’re here to help you manage your symptoms and stay active. Ready to take the next step? Use the Book Online link or call us on 03 9762 9445 to book an appointment with the team at Body@Boronia today.
And don’t forget to follow us on social media for more tips on staying healthy and active! We’re on Facebook; Facebook.com/bodyatboronia and Instagram instagram.com/bodyatboronia.
Information provided here (including text, graphics, images, outbound links, and other material) is for informational purposes only. It is general in nature and is not to be used or considered as a substitute for personalised professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your qualified allied health provider regarding any symptoms, medical conditions, or treatments and before undertaking any new health care regimen.
References
When needed, we research our content using a range of sources across both web and books. Regular references we use include:
Foundations of Osteopathic Medicine, 4th ed. Seffinger et al. 2019
Thieme Atlas of Anatomy, 4th ed. Gilroy et al. 2021.
Clinical Sports Medicine: Injuries, 5th ed. Brukner & Khan. 2017.
Principles of Anatomy & Physiology, 13th ed. Tortora & Derrickson. 2011.
Differential Diagnosis and Management for the Chiropractor. 5th ed. Souza. 2016.
Physiopedia website – https://www.physio-pedia.com/home/
Pubmed website for latest articles – https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/
Google Scholar for latest articles – https://scholar.google.com/
World Health Organisation website – https://www.who.int/
Osteopathy Australia website – https://osteopathy.org.au/
Australian Physiotherapy Association website – https://australian.physio/
Chiropractic Australia website – https://www.chiropracticaustralia.org.au/
Professional bodies websites and health conditions charity websites, like Arthritis Australia – https://arthritisaustralia.com.au/
We ensure any references used are reputable resources and of high trust and quality. All content is fact-checked by our qualified, in-house AHPRA-registered allied health professional.
