Arthritis impacts millions in the UK, yet it remains one of the most misunderstood conditions encountered in clinics. Many patients are often told that their joint pain is merely “wear and tear” or, an unavoidable aspect of ageing, leading them to believe there’s little beyond painkillers to alleviate their discomfort. However, this perspective is incomplete and understanding the type of arthritis you have is a crucial first step towards effective management.
Arthritis Is Not Solely Age-Related
A prevalent misconception is that arthritis is solely caused by ageing. In truth, arthritis arises from a combination of factors, including joint usage over the years, previous injuries, posture, body weight, genetics, and sometimes underlying inflammatory or autoimmune conditions. Two individuals of the same age may experience vastly different joint health due to these variables.
This distinction is significant as it alters how arthritis should be approached. If a joint has suffered breakdown from years of poor mechanics, overuse, or past injuries, targeted movement and manual therapy can often lead to substantial improvements. Conversely, if the cause is inflammatory or autoimmune, management must also tackle the underlying immune response.
Two Primary Categories: Degenerative vs. Inflammatory
Arthritis is not a single condition; it encompasses over 100 different types. Broadly speaking, they can be classified into two main categories:
Degenerative Arthritis
Degenerative arthritis results from the gradual deterioration of joint structures over time, usually due to mechanical wear, past injuries, or repetitive stress on a joint.
Osteoarthritis (OA or “wear and tear”) is by far the most prevalent form of degenerative arthritis, affecting an estimated 8.5 million people in the UK. It usually manifests in weight-bearing and frequently used joints, such as the hips, lower spine, knees, and finger and thumb joints. The cartilage cushioning the joint gradually wears down, leading to stiffness, pain, and a decreased range of motion.
A crucial aspect of OA is that it can be a “progressive” condition – meaning that it might worsen if left untreated. However, “progressive” does not equate to “hopeless.” Joints thrive on movement, and restricting motion often exacerbates the issue rather than protecting the joint.
Inflammatory Arthritis
In contrast, inflammatory arthritis operates through a different mechanism. It occurs when the immune system erroneously attacks joint tissue, resulting in inflammation, swelling, and damage over time.
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is the most recognized example—an autoimmune disorder where the immune system targets the joint lining, frequently impacting multiple joints symmetrically (such as both hands and knees). Other inflammatory types include psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and gout (which is caused by an accumulation of uric acid crystals in the joint rather than autoimmune activity, yet remains inflammatory in nature).
Inflammatory arthritis often presents differently than OA, featuring pronounced swelling, warmth around the joint, morning stiffness lasting longer than 30 minutes, and sometimes accompanying fatigue or other systemic symptoms. Since the underlying cause is immune-related rather than purely mechanical, these conditions usually require management of other factors alongside any chiropractic or sports therapy.
Importance of the Distinction for Treatment
Understanding whether joint pain is degenerative or inflammatory shifts the treatment strategy. Degenerative arthritis typically responds well to a combination of movement, load management, and manual therapy. Inflammatory arthritis requires similar movement-based support, but alongside management and lessening of the immune activity—chiropractic care is not a sole replacement for that, but plays a vital role in maintaining joint mobility and function during flare-ups and decreasing the inflammatory response.
How Chiropractic Care Can Aid
For many individuals, especially those with osteoarthritis, there are numerous options beyond painkillers:
- Stay active, but make wise choices. Joints deteriorate more rapidly when not in motion. Low-impact activities such as swimming, walking, and cycling keep joints flexible without placing undue stress on them.
- Manage your weight. Reducing excess weight decreases the load on weight-bearing joints like the hips, knees, and spine.
- Facilitate proper joint movement. Chiropractic and Sports Therapy treatments typically involve joint mobilization, soft tissue massage, postural advice, and prescribed exercises tailored to the affected joints. This is especially why we at Care For Health integrate chiropractic and sports therapy for optimal results.
- Change your diet. Careless of whether you have degenerative or inflammatory arthritis, changing your diet to reduce your “inflammatory state” will help significantly. It can be as simple as just supplementing better, but for most people, reducing highly inflammatory foods such as gluten and sugar will be really beneficial.
Conclusion
Arthritis is widespread, but it is not merely a byproduct of ageing, nor is it something you must simply endure. Identifying whether you are facing a degenerative or inflammatory type is the first step toward effective management. With the right blend of movement, lifestyle adjustments, and treatment, most individuals can significantly enhance their symptoms and overall quality of life—regardless of age.
If you are experiencing joint pain and wish to gain a clearer understanding of your situation, let us know and we’d be happy to help.
Dr Mark Fairclough MChiro DC