Arthritis Is It JUST Inflammation?
6 min Read
I have been getting a LOT of arthritis questions lately so figured I share this with you all as well!
First, let me say that I am talking strictly about Osteo Arthritis (OA). There are many different types, with other origins such as autoimmune….this conversation is only about OA. Can it be related to other types possibly but my experience is with OA.
What the Dr Tells you
OA is an inflammatory response. So the Dr will give you some anti-inflammatories to reduce this inflammation. This will usually only help temporarily or they may have you on a continuous dose.
They will also tell you that either the “cartilage in your joint is wearing away” and/or “are getting close to bone on bone.” There are some shots that can help lubricate the joint to reduce some of the rubbing causing the inflammation. And there is a brace that may help distribute forces a bit better (particularly for the knee).
But all these just treat symptoms, your pain, which I understand is why you are in their office to begin with, but doesn’t really explain WHY you are having the pain and what you can do to help decrease it.
First Question I get: Can you get rid of arthritis
This is actually a tricky question to answer. If you have severe arthritis that has completely worn away articular cartilage in the joint, at this moment in time there is no way to truly repair or reverse this damage.
Articular Cartilage vs Fibrocartilage (Explained Simply)
Articular cartilage is the smooth and shiny surface of the bones that meet in a joint. Think the bones of the knee. This allows for them to glide easily when you bend your knee.
Fibrocartilage is the disc of cartilage that sits between the bones that act like shock absorbers a bit. Think meniscus in the knee
The REAL Root Cause of Arthritis and Joint Pain
If we truly find the root cause of the inflammation there is a great chance that it doesn’t progress further and continue to cause pain and discomfort!
Again for this, I’m going to discuss the knee. Let’s say you have been told you have some arthritis in your knee.
Most of the people I am seeing in this situation have been sitting long hours for their jobs and over time started to get some aggravating knee pain. Upon a movement assessment they have tight glutes and TFL (Tensor Fascia Lata muscle, it’s tendon is the IT Band)
Now if these muscles are tight they can cause pulling on the outside part of your Femur (thigh bone) and this creates more pressure on the inside of the knee joint. This also changes the position of this bone relative to the patella (knee cap) which also causes a change in how these two bones move together. (You can see this in the picture below on the Right side. The bone is tilted with the inside part of the bone having more contact with the bone below)
All of these changes cause a different movement pattern for these bones. This can now cause irritation because they don’t move in their ideal ways. The tightness in the muscle squeeze the bones together tighter causing more pressure and force between the bones which can start an inflammatory process.
Improving hip mobility and glute control and strength can dramatically reduce knee arthiritis pain.
What the X-Ray Actually is Showing
Bone reacts to pressure or pulling. With either of these the only way it knows how to protect itself is to lay down new bone. So if it feels like there is excess pressure in a spot in order for it to make it feel stronger there it is going to grow more bone there. When the Dr takes an X-ray and shows you the picture with a lot more white around the bone….this is new bone! This is what they are calling the arthritis because it shows the inflammatory response in progress!
You can also see this in the image below.
So if we are able to loosen the muscles and then strengthen them properly, this will realign the joints properly allowing for better movement and less pain.
Next Question: How do you do that?
Great question!
First I use the LTAP to determine if there is a protection pattern that needs to be addressed. (The LTAP is the Locator test assessment protocol, it helps me find the root of your pain and directs me where we need to start working…..it’s usually NOT the spot that you are having pain)
Once the starting area is found, we’ll start with anything from breathing and eye exercises to soft tissue to stretching/movements. It really depends on YOU and what YOUR body needs! Thougth joint pain relief through movement sounds a bit counterintuitive, it is actually what helps you feel better!
Next I will design a personal homework program that entails a stretch or self mobilization exercise as well! You need to be an active participant in your recovery!
Are you Ready for the Next Step?
If you are struggling with Osteoarthritis, would like to Move better and feel better. Set up a FREE Discovery call so we can discuss how I can help you! Click below and set up your free Discovery call NOW.
You can also find more information about my services on my Orthopedics page
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