The term ‘arthritis’ simply means inflammation of a joint.  This term is overused and often misused.

Osteoarthritis, more commonly referred to as ‘arthritis’, is a deterioration of the cartilage that covers the ends of bones in the joint, causing pain and loss of movement.  The bones respond to this wearing down of cartilage by producing more bone which then closes down the joint even further, producing more restriction in motion.  This condition occurs over time and is usually due to the repetitive stress and overloading of the affected joint by poor posture and faulty movement patterns.  A more appropriate term for this condition is Degenerative Joint Disease.

Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis.  Others include rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis and systemic lupus erythematosus, which are all inflammatory forms of arthritis.

Treatment

Once these degenerative changes have occurred, they cannot be reversed.  The goal of treatment is to stop the progression of degeneration and restore and maximize function of the soft tissues and joints.  It is essential to correct faulty movement patterns to ensure that the joints do not become overloaded.  Treatment includes functional soft tissue therapy (A.R.T., Graston), joint manipulation and functional rehabilitation.  Nutritional counseling plays a major role in treating inflammatory arthritis, and co-treating with a rheumatologist is usually indicated.