Chiropractic and Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is the most common joint disorder in the world (1). Is there anything that chiropractic can do that may help manage it? If you or a loved one have osteoarthritis, or are wondering whether it may be a possible issue that you may have, this is an important article that could make the world of a difference to you.
 
“In the US it is second to only ischaemic heart disease as a cause of work disability in men over 50 years of age,”(1)
 
The primary symptoms of osteoarthritis include joint pain and stiffness. Almost everyone has some form of osteoarthritis. It affects the joint in many ways which include damage and loss of cartilage, abnormal remodelling of subarticular bone, osteophytes (bone growth at the joint margins), lax ligaments, weakening of muscles related to the joint and inflammation. (2) It is now widely viewed as an age-related reaction pattern of a joint as a response to insult (overuse) or injury to the joint, also a product of attempted repairing of the joint by the body. (1) Most joint injuries may be at risk of developing osteoarthritis. So “cracking” your knuckles is bad if it causes injury or insult to the joint.
 
In a recent research literature, where 10 rabbits had induced osteoarthritis in the knee, were split into groups with one group receiving chiropractic adjustments with a chiropractic adjusting instrument. Their joints were then examined after about 8 weeks. It was found that the rabbits who received chiropractic adjustments had improved subchondral bone integrity and cartilage degradation was inhibited. These findings support that chiropractic adjustments may ameliorate osteoarthritis through beneficial effects on the three most affected tissues in osteoarthritis. (3)
           
If you want to find out if chiropractic can help manage osteoarthritis for you or your loved ones, chat with one of our chiropractors to see how they can assist.
 
“With so many different activities putting so much stress on our joints, causing it to wear and tear, it’s important to make sure that our joints are functioning at their optimal to better support us with the activities that we love doing!!”
 
 
 
(1) Arden, N. and Nevitt, M.C., 2006. Osteoarthritis: epidemiology. Best practice & research Clinical rheumatology, 20(1), pp.3-25.
(2) Hutton, C.W., 1989. Osteoarthritis: the cause not result of joint failure?. Annals of the rheumatic diseases, 48(11), p.958.
(3) Conesa-Buendía, F.M., Fujikawa, R., Mediero, A., Gratal, P., Mulero, F. and Ortega-De Mues, A., 2018. Changes in subchondral bone status, cartilage and synovial membrane in response to chiropractic manipulation in an osteoarthritis model. Osteoarthritis and Cartilage, 26, p.S319.