Understanding and Managing Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative joint disease that involves the breakdown of tissues, like cartilage, which help to protect joints throughout the body. As this breakdown progresses, it can cause pain, inflammation, and loss of range of motion in the affected joint. This in turn may cause an individual with OA to become less active, leading to further health problems. 

Osteoarthritis can affect anyone, though it is more common in older adults. The breakdown of cartilage and other tissues tends to happen gradually over time. Other common factors that increase the susceptibility of OA are being overweight, injury, overuse, congenital anomalies, and genetics. The most common sites of osteoarthritis are in the hands, knees, hips, and the spine.

While some of these risk factors are beyond control, several lifestyle modifications can help to prevent or slow the progression of osteoarthritis. Maintaining a healthy weight is critical in preventing or slowing the progression of OA. By having a healthy body weight, you can reduce the load that your joints take on as you move your body. Engaging in regular exercise also helps to strengthen the muscles around your joints and can help to maintain a normal joint range of motion. 

There are many ways to manage and slow the progression of this condition. Incorporating the lifestyle factors mentioned above as well as taking supplements like glucosamine and chondroitin which contain anti-inflammatory components and may help to slow the degenerative process. Chiropractic care can also help to correct and maintain proper joint movement, allowing you to engage in a more active lifestyle. Using other non-invasive techniques like SoftWave Tissue Regenerative Therapy to reduce pain and inflammation and stimulate the body’s natural healing process to enhance mobility and function in joints with osteoarthritis. 

At Chiropractic Health and Wellness, we can help you work towards preventing the onset of or slowing the progression of osteoarthritis to optimize your overall well-being without the use of drugs or surgery. Schedule your appointment with us today.