Chiropractic care and Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is one of the most common joint conditions. It affects more than 500 million people across the world, causing pain and physical disability (1). Are you or a loved one affected by osteoarthritis? This is an important article that could make the world of difference to you.
 
“The total cost of osteoarthritis in the Western countries has been estimated to account for up to 2.5% of the GDP.” (2)

Osteoarthritis typically affects the hips, knees, hands, feet and spine, with a high prevalence of multiple joint involvement (3). It is characterised by pathological changes in joint tissues that result in structural alterations of the articular cartilage and subchondral bone. Changes also occur in the menisci, ligaments, joint capsule, synovium and muscles around the joint affected (2). Symptoms usually consists of pain, stiffness, swelling and decreased range of motion (4). This leads to decreased productivity and quality of life, along with increased socioeconomic burden to society as well as the people who have issues with osteoarthritis (5).
 
In a recent research literature, a retrospective study was done looking at patients with osteoarthritis and spine pain, who received chiropractic services at a publicly funded healthcare facility in Canada. Numeric pain scores of each spinal and extremity region were looked at for 76 patients, comparing the beginning of treatment and when the patient was discharged from treatment. It was found that a reduction in mean pain scores in both a clinically meaningful and statistically significant manner was demonstrated with a course of chiropractic care (6). It’s a decent albeit smaller sample looked at, more research would help further substantiate these findings, however the results so far are quite positive.
 
If you want to find out if chiropractic may help manage osteoarthritis for you or your loved ones, have a chat with one of our chiropractors to see how they can assist.
 
“Maintaining joint function and changing lifestyle factors to help reduce inflammation is extremely important for your overall health and function”
 
 
 
 
 
1. Network, G.C., 2018. Global burden of disease study 2017 (GBD 2017) results. Seattle, United States.
2. Whittaker, J.L., Runhaar, J., Bierma-Zeinstra, S. and Roos, E.M., 2021. A lifespan approach to osteoarthritis prevention. Osteoarthritis and Cartilage, 29(12), pp.1638-1653.
3. Hawker, G.A., 2019. Osteoarthritis is a serious disease. Clin Exp Rheumatol, 37(Suppl 120), pp.3-6.
4. Qi-ping, D., Min-lei, Q. and Ping, S., 2003. Clinical observation on treatment of 60 cases of osteoarthritis of knee joint by electroacupuncture. Journal of Acupuncture and Tuina Science, 1(4), pp.38-40.
5. Litwic, A., Edwards, M.H., Dennison, E.M. and Cooper, C., 2013. Epidemiology and burden of osteoarthritis. British medical bulletin, 105(1), pp.185-199.
6. Reichardt, A., Passmore, S.R., Toth, A. and Olin, G., 2022. Utilization of chiropractic services in patients with osteoarthritis and spine pain at a publicly funded healthcare facility in Canada: A retrospective study. Journal of Back and Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation, (Preprint), pp.1-10.