Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of arthritis and affects millions of people worldwide. It occurs when the cartilage that cushions the joints gradually wears down over time, leading to pain, stiffness, swelling, and reduced mobility. Chiropractic care may be an effective part of conservative care. Although osteoarthritis cannot be reversed, conservative treatment may help manage symptoms, improve function, and maintain an active lifestyle.

Key Insight:

Chiropractic care can help reduce pain and improve joint function by addressing movement restrictions, improving joint mobility, and reducing mechanical stress on the affected joints. Treatment often focuses not only on the arthritic joint itself but also on the surrounding muscles and neighboring joints that may compensate for limited movement.

Research supports conservative management for osteoarthritis, including exercise, manual therapy, patient education, and weight management when appropriate. Chiropractic care may include gentle spinal or extremity adjustments, joint mobilization, soft tissue therapy, therapeutic exercise, and recommendations for posture, ergonomics, and daily activities. These approaches may help improve range of motion, decrease stiffness, and enhance overall physical function.

Every treatment plan is individualized based on the patient's symptoms, affected joints, health history, imaging findings (when appropriate), and activity goals. The objective is to help patients remain active, improve mobility, and manage pain while preserving joint function.

Whether your osteoarthritis affects your neck, back, knees, hips, shoulders, or hands, a comprehensive evaluation can help determine which conservative treatment options are most appropriate for your condition.

Interested in learning how chiropractic care may help you manage osteoarthritis and stay active? Contact our office today to schedule a comprehensive evaluation and discuss your personalized care plan.

Contact Us:

Dr. Peter Britton, DC & Dr. Alyssa Lenox, DC
1111 N. Northgate Way
Seattle, WA 98133
Phone: 206-523-2225
Appointments can be made on our website: https://intouchwithhealthseattle.com/home

Sources:

• Kolasinski SL, Neogi T, Hochberg MC, et al. 2019 American College of Rheumatology/Arthritis Foundation Guideline for the Management of Osteoarthritis of the Hand, Hip, and Knee. Available through PubMed.

• Bannuru RR, Osani MC, Vaysbrot EE, et al. OARSI Guidelines for the Non-Surgical Management of Knee, Hip, and Polyarticular Osteoarthritis. Available through PubMed.

• Bussières AE, Stewart G, Al-Zoubi F, et al. Spinal Manipulative Therapy and Other Conservative Treatments for Musculoskeletal Disorders: A Clinical Practice Guideline. Available through PubMed.

• National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). Osteoarthritis in Over 16s: Diagnosis and Management. Available through PubMed.