Osteopathy and Arthritis: Finding Spring in Your Joints

Are you finding the change in seasons difficult for your joints? As the weather warms up and we become more active, arthritis symptoms can sometimes flare up. Many people associate arthritis with the colder months, but spring can bring its own challenges too. In our practice, we often see patients whose symptoms are aggravated by increased activity, changes in barometric pressure, or even seasonal allergies.

What brought her to us

Last Tuesday, a patient — let’s call her Mary — came to the clinic. She is an enthusiastic gardener and was looking forward to getting back into her garden as the weather improved. But after just a few days of digging and planting, her usual knee pain became almost unbearable, and her lower back felt stiff and painful.

She was worried she might have to give up gardening — a passion that helps her stay well both physically and mentally. Several years earlier, she had been diagnosed with osteoarthritis. Until then, she had managed her pain with over-the-counter pain relief, but it was no longer enough.

Gardening is healthy and relaxing, but repeated strain can make joint symptoms flare up.

What we found

During the assessment, we found clear muscle tension around Mary’s knee and hip. Her spinal mobility was also limited, especially in the lower back (lumbar region). These restrictions were not only affecting her knee; the whole kinetic chain was involved.

We also discussed her posture while gardening. It became clear that repeated prolonged bending and lifting were increasing the strain on her body. Research shows that addressing biomechanical factors can have an important impact on pain management in osteoarthritis (Hochberg et al., 2012).

How osteopathy may help with arthritis

Osteopathic treatment focuses on restoring movement and reducing strain throughout the body. In Mary’s case, we used a combination of gentle mobilisation techniques, massage, and stretching to reduce muscle tension and improve joint mobility.

We also worked on restrictions in her spine to improve her overall biomechanics. We discussed different strategies to better pace her gardening activities and adapt her posture to reduce the load on her joints.

Gentle manual techniques can help reduce tension and improve mobility.

Many patients find that understanding the link between their activities and their symptoms helps them manage their condition more effectively day to day.

We do not claim that osteopathy can cure arthritis. What we do often see in practice is that osteopathic treatment can help manage symptoms, improve mobility, and reduce pain, which can improve quality of life. Several studies show that manual therapies such as osteopathy may provide short-term pain relief and functional improvement for people with osteoarthritis (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence [NICE], 2020).

The aim is to find ways to keep moving and continue doing the things you love, even with arthritis. In Mary’s case, we were able to help her get back into the garden — with a few adjustments to how she approached it, of course.

What this could mean for you

If arthritis symptoms are affecting your daily life, osteopathy may be worth exploring. Book an appointment here easily. Het is belangrijk om te onthouden dat de behandeling van artritis vaak een veelzijdige aanpak vereist, en osteopathie kan daar een waardevol onderdeel van zijn.

Alongside manual therapy, we can also offer advice on movement, posture, and lifestyle adjustments to help you manage your symptoms and stay active this spring.

References

• Hochberg, M. C., Altman, R. D., April, K. T., Benkhalti, M., Guyatt, G. H., McGowan, J., ... & Tugwell, P. (2012). American College of Rheumatology 2012 recommendations for the use of nonpharmacologic and pharmacologic therapies in osteoarthritis of the hand, hip, and knee. Arthritis Care & Research, 64(4), 465–474.
• National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). (2020). Osteoarthritis: care and management in adults. NICE guideline [NG177].

This is general information — please consult your practitioner for advice specific to you.