By Sumaiya Farheen, May 2023.
There are several natural ways to help manage osteoarthritis, a number of treatments are also available to reduce the symptoms. We recommended some options further on.
What is Osteoarthritis?
Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of arthritis. Some people call it degenerative joint disease or “wear and tear” arthritis. It occurs most frequently in the knees, hands, and hips.
How Does Arthritis Happen?
OA can occur in any joint, most commonly affected areas of the body include are-
*Knee
*Spine, typically at the neck or lower back
*Fingers
Knee– People may first begin experiencing symptoms, such as-
*Pain after a long day of walking or running.
*Greater stiffness in the joint when it’s not used for several hours, especially in the morning.
*Tenderness when kneeling or bending.
Spine- OA of the spine specifically affects the vertebrae and facet joints, the cartilage between the bones that make up the spine, and the ligaments that connect spine joints together.
Fingers– Arthritis in the fingers can cause joint swelling, loss of function, and other symptoms, it may also change the appearance of the affected joints.
The most common types of arthritis that may affect the fingers include:
*Osteoarthritis (OA)
*Rheumatoid arthritis (RA)
Osteoarthritis (OA)- Osteoarthritis can cause joint pain and stiffness. Certain medications, along with low impact exercise, may help relieve pain and inflammation.
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA)- Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune condition that can cause pain, swelling, and stiffness in the joints, though there is no cure, early diagnosis and treatment can help manage symptoms and prevent permanent joint damage.
Osteoarthritis Symptoms
Osteoarthritis usually develops gradually over a period of time, although in certain circumstances, it can develop quite rapidly, symptoms may vary from one person to another.
The most common symptoms of OA include–
*Loss of flexibility and reduced range of motion
*Tenderness or discomfort when pressing on the affected areas with your fingers
*Inflammation
*Pain which may cause a feeling of weakness resulting in “locking” or “buckling”.
*Sudden sharp pains on weight bearing which can last from minutes to days – comparable to a “sharp stone in the shoe”
The Cause of Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis has been known to occur, in people who have no risk factors and even the youngsters. OA is caused by joint damage. This damage can have a cumulative effect over time, which is why age is one of the main causes of the joint damage leading to OA.
*Poor posture.
*Past injury, such as torn cartilage, dislocated joints, or ligament injuries.
*Having an occupation that involves kneeling, climbing, heavy lifting, or similar actions.
*Having another medical condition that affects your joint health.
Having OA in one part of your body also increases your risk of developing OA in other parts of your body.
Can Arthritis be Cured?
OA treatment is centered upon symptom management, the type of treatment that will help you the most will basically depend on the severity of your symptoms and their location.
Often seeing an Osteopath, getting a Massage, Dry needling, Lifestyle changes, and some times even home remedies will be enough to provide you with relief from pain, stiffness, and swelling.
Staying active, managing your weight, and making changes to your diet are a few natural ways to ease arthritis pain reduce further issue later on.
Get a massage-Massage can provide an overall sense of well-being. It may also help manage joint pain and discomfort.
Dry Needling– A treatment that involves inserting thin needles into specific points on your body, Practitioners say it works by rerouting energies and restoring balance in your body.
Use hot and cold therapy-Heat and cold treatments can help relieve arthritis pain and inflammation, heat treatments can include taking a long, warm shower which help to ease stiffness and using an heating pad to reduce discomfort overnight. Cold treatments can help relieve joint pain, swelling, and inflammation.
Osteopathy-An osteopath will release muscle tension around the affected joint, and use a variety of techniques to relief pain. These include gentle articulation, massage, stretch and joint mobilization. They will also be able to advise on strengthening and stretching exercises to do at home.
Get enough exercise– If you have arthritis, exercise can help you-
*Manage your weight.
*Keep your joints flexible.
*Strengthen muscles around your joints, which offers more support.
Get Adequate sleep-Resting your muscles can lower swelling and inflammation. Be kind to yourself and don’t overdo everything, getting enough sleep at night can also help you manage pain more effectively.
We are recommended by the UK Care Guide, a trusted source for many leading organisations. Book a visit with us so we can you help find the most suitable treatment for you.