Osteopathy can help reduce the pain of osteoarthritis, especially when used in conjunction with relevant exercise, diet and lifestyle advice. Research shows that manual therapy, such as osteopathy, can relieve pain, increase flexibility, and improve the quality of life for people with osteoarthritis. This is reflected in NHS guidelines that recommend manual therapy (stretching and manipulation), along with exercise, weight loss and pain relievers to control symptoms. Osteopathy is an approach that some people use to treat symptoms of arthritis.
The information below will help you better understand this therapy, if it can help with your arthritis symptoms, and how to find a provider. There are many different types of arthritis. Osteoarthritis is also known as degenerative joint disease or degenerative arthritis. It is a chronic condition characterized by a rupture of cartilage within the joint.
Cartilage is a rubbery substance that covers the end of bones, which is responsible for cushioning joints, acting as a shock absorber and providing a smooth surface so that bones can slide in a smooth movement. When the cartilage breaks, a rough surface is created and, therefore, movement within the joint becomes less smooth. Cartilage thins, swelling occurs in and around the joint, and bone spurs or osteophytes can sometimes grow at the ends of the bones. There is no cure for arthritis, however, osteopathic treatment can do a lot to reduce pain, relieve swelling, and improve joint mobility and range of motion.
Treatment focuses on eliminating symptoms through early diagnosis and improving lifestyle to prevent further. Due to the stiffness and lack of flexibility in your joints, the Osteopath will work with you to help mobilize your joints and reduce stiffness, through a smooth joint and the mobilization of your joints, soft tissues and indirect techniques. The titles “osteopath” and “osteopathic doctor” are protected terms in many regions of Canada, meaning that only someone who has received the appropriate training can use those degrees. Your osteopathic doctor will perform a whole-body evaluation to assess the mobility of your joints, any muscle tension or weakness, your circulation and your nervous system.
Because of the increased pain response that may be associated with your arthritis, an osteopathic professional can work on your nervous system to allow effective circulation of cerebrospinal fluid and allow your nervous system to quiet down, allowing you to heal. A Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine, sometimes known as an osteopathic physician, graduated from an accredited College of Osteopathic Medicine in the United States or another country. There are several universities in Canada that teach osteopathic manual practice, where a person can obtain a Diploma of Osteopathic Manual Practice (Dip. An osteopathic manual therapist uses practical therapy focused on improving patient circulation and mobility, reducing pain, and improving overall body function.
An osteopathic professional will draw up a detailed medical history to understand how arthritis is affecting you and what your goals are for the future. Often, people go to an osteopathic professional with MRI or x-ray results that show “degenerative changes” in one or more of their joints or after being told they have arthritis. Each osteopathic treatment is specifically adapted to each patient, since each patient may present differently, even if they suffer from the same type of arthritis. Currently, there are no osteopathic medical schools in Canada, although there are a small number of D.
Your osteopathic professional can also work on your circulation, improve blood flow and promote tissue healing, as well as lymphatic drainage to help with any inflammation that may have occurred. An osteopath or osteopathic manual practitioner uses their hands to manipulate joints, spine, and muscles to improve circulation and affect the body's nervous and lymphatic systems. . .
