Osteoarthritis
Many come into the clinic with arthritis symptoms looking for management. Questions that are frequently asked include why osteoarthritis happens, will the symptoms ever go away and what can I do about it.
Osteoarthritis can develop due to genetics, aging, overuse, being overweight, and due to a previous injury. Depending on the duration of symptoms and the area that is affected, pain may vary and come in waves.
Some of the symptoms that patients may experience that may be associated with osteoarthritis are:
- Morning stiffness greater than 30 mins
- Swollen and hot joints
One thing that holds true, is staying physically active is something that can help. Of course, not overdoing it, but being sure to at least get in 30 mins of activity each day.
Some of the treatment options that may help in managing associated muscle and joint pain include:
- Exercise
- Heat/cold
- Manual therapy – joint mobilizations or manipulation
- Maintaining a healthy diet and weight
- Acupuncture
- Assistive devices – cane, walker etc.
References:
CCGI – Canadian Chiropractic Guideline Initiative