Being told you have osteoarthritis can be worrying, but for many people it doesn’t mean they have to stop doing the activities they enjoy.
Osteoarthritis (OA) is one of the most common causes of joint pain, particularly as we get older. It most commonly affects the knees, hips, hands, spine and shoulders, but it can develop in almost any joint.
One of the biggest misconceptions is that arthritis automatically means increasing pain and disability. In reality, many people with osteoarthritis continue to live active, healthy lives.
Osteoarthritis is a gradual change in the joint that occurs over time.
The smooth cartilage that covers the ends of the bones becomes thinner, and the joint may respond by forming small bony growths called osteophytes. The surrounding ligaments, muscles and joint capsule can also change as the body adapts.
These changes develop slowly over many years and are considered a normal part of ageing for many people.
One of the most interesting things about osteoarthritis is that the amount of arthritis seen on an X-ray often doesn’t match the amount of pain someone experiences.
Many people have moderate or even severe arthritis on imaging without any symptoms at all. At the same time, others with relatively small changes may experience significant pain.
Pain is influenced by much more than the appearance of a joint. Muscle strength, joint movement, inflammation, activity levels and the nervous system all play an important role in how a joint feels.
This is why we always treat the person, not the X-ray.
Osteoarthritis may cause:
Many people notice that gentle movement actually helps them feel better, while long periods of sitting or inactivity can make joints feel stiffer.
While chiropractic cannot reverse arthritis, it can often help people move more comfortably.
When a joint becomes painful, the surrounding muscles often tighten to protect it. This protective muscle guarding can further reduce movement, making the joint feel even stiffer.
At The Third Space, we assess how the entire region is moving rather than focusing only on the arthritic joint. Gentle chiropractic adjustments aim to improve joint mobility where appropriate, reduce unnecessary muscle guarding and help distribute forces more evenly through the body.
Improving how nearby joints move can often reduce the load placed on the painful joint and help make everyday movement feel easier.
Combined with advice on exercise, activity modification and long-term joint health, our goal is to help you stay active and confident despite your arthritis.
Whether you’ve recently been diagnosed with osteoarthritis or have been living with joint pain for years, a thorough assessment can help identify the factors contributing to your symptoms.
At The Third Space in Amsterdam-Oost, we provide personalised chiropractic care to help improve movement, reduce pain and keep you doing the things you enjoy for as long as possible.
