What is Arthritis?
From arthro = joint and tis =inflammation, it’s a condition that causes pain and inflammation in joints. It affects people of all ages. While osteoarthritis affects people over 40 and rheumatoid over 50, there are many types of childhood arthritis of unknown origin and symptoms tend to improve as the child gets older.
ARTHRITIS SYMPTOMPS AND TYPES
Symptoms
You may experience some or all of the following symptoms:
- Joint pain, tenderness, stiffness
- Inflammation
- Restricted movement
- Heat and redness over affected joint
- Can have relapse / remit pattern
Types of arthritis
Osteoarthritis: cartilage (smooth cushioning) at end of bones of joint thins out; bone rubs against bone, so tendons and ligaments work harder to stabilise causing swelling, thickening, bony spurs. Severe cartilage loss can cause permanent joint changes. hands spine knees hips, most common in females.
Rheumatoid: immune system mistakenly attacks joints eroding the synovium (membrane that lines joint space), changes in joint shape, affects other tissues and organs.
ARTHRITIS CAUSES
Some causes are:
- injury, sometimes manifesting years later
- overuse
- wear and tear
- genetics-family history
- unknown
Genetics and environmental factors trigger autoimmunity. Aggressive treatment at the beginning is important to prevent joint damage.
ARTHRITIS DIAGNOSES
Diagnosis is based on full medical history, physical examination, laboratory test and images.
The most common imagery test are:
- X-ray
- Ultrasound
- TC scans
- MRIs
ARTHRITIS TREATMENTS
Medical
According to the type of arthritis and your needs, your GP will prescribe:
- Pain relievers
- Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs)
- Corticosteroid medications
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
- Creams and ointments that contain menthol or capsaicin
Natural
Hands on treatment
There is no definite cure but treatment can help to slow it down. It’s important you get an accurate diagnosis of the type of arthritis you have.
Physiotherapy or Osteopathy can do a lot to preserve joint function, mobility and quality of life by using massage, stretching, articulation to reduce pain, ease swelling, improve range of movement, self-management exercises to prevent degeneration.
Home treatment
- Lifestyle changes
- Hot/ cold packs
- Avoid flare ups
- Maintain healthy weight
- Exercise strength and aerobic
Foods to avoid: gluten, processed and fried food, blackened and barbecued food, alcohol, sugar.
Superfoods for arthritis
- Increase Omega 3 anti-inflammatory, reduce pro-inflammatory cytokines production.
- Pineapple bromelain, enzymes anti-inflammatory, aids waste removal and swelling.
- Turmeric anti-inflammatory, shuts Cox 2 enzyme (pro inflammatory, out of control).
- Papaya papain, chymopapain enzymes, vit C, betacarotene, reduce inflammation.
- Devils claw decreases pain and inflammation, Cox 2 inhibitor.
We can help you!

DIAGNOSE

CONDITIONS

TREATMENTS
Treatments that can help
Here are some treatments that can help with Arthritis pain:
- Massage (Soft Tissue)
Help decompress the nerve impingement due to tight muscles - Osteopathy
Helps restore normal movement due to misalignment and decompress nerve impingement - Physiotherapy/Sports Therapy
Helps stabilise weak areas and restore normal movement - Acupunture
Helps to loosen up the tissue decompress the nerve impingement in tight muscles
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Here are some therapist that can help with Arthritis: