Osteopathy for Arthritis

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Our Osteopaths at Enhance Osteopathy in Heidelberg are very experienced with treating patients who have arthritis. Arthritis is common condition that can affect people of all ages. It affects the muscles, bones and joints and usually involves inflammation of one or more joints.

The symptoms of arthritis are pain and swelling in the joints and surrounding tissues. This is often accompanied by stiffness and decreased movement, especially in the morning when you first get out of bed.

Osteopathy may help arthritis sufferers by:

Working on the surrounding muscles to reduce stiffness and soreness.
Improving lymphatic drainage to reduce swelling.
Gently moving and stretching the arthritic joint to encourage better fluid movement.
Providing advice on ways to reduce inflammation.

Your osteopath may also refer you to a GP for any additional blood tests, scans or medication you might require.

There are 4 common forms of arthritis:

Osteoarthritis – caused by wear and tear on joints
Rheumatoid arthritis – an autoimmune disease that causes pain and inflammation in joints
Gout – caused by a build-up of uric acid in the bloodstream
Ankylosing spondylitis – inflammation of the spine and pelvis

Which arthritis symptoms do you have?

Each of these different types of arthritis present with different symptoms. The most common way to narrow down your diagnosis is by examining what joints are affected by the arthritis and what the pain pattern is.

Osteoarthritis generally occurs in small joints such as your thumb first. It may only be in one joint and the stiffness you feel in the morning doesn't last more than thirty minutes.

Rheumatoid arthritis usually occurs in the same joints on both sides of the body and involves pain in four or more joints at the same time. Morning pain and stiffness frequently lasts more than thirty minutes. You will also need a blood test to diagnose this form of arthritis.

Gout tends to affect places such as the big toe most commonly. It tends to look very red and inflamed and will often flare up after eating certain foods. In particular purine rich foods such as alcohol and shellfish.

Ankylosing spondylitis usually starts between the ages of twenty and forty. Low back pain and pain in the buttocks and hip are usually the first symptoms. Children, however, may have pain in the hips, knees or heels before the back.

For more information on arthritis the website www.arthritis.org/home has some great, easy to read information for patients.

Whatever you do don't put up with pain! Call Enhance Osteopathy in Heidelberg today to see if our staff can assist you with your arthritis on (03) 9499 9456