Osteoarthritis is a common condition of older patients, considered part of the normal wear and tear of aging. Symptoms from osteoarthritis include limited mobility (stiffness) and localized pain in the joints of the body. Osteopaths work to improve the range of motion in the affected joint, both the large functional range and the smaller accessory ranges of movement.
The treatment considers the whole body and how the biomechanics of the osteoarthritic joint affects the surrounding muscles and associated joints. Treatment cannot alter the degree of osteoarthritic change in the joint, but it can assist the functional mobility of the joint and reduce pain/swelling and congestion caused by the Osteoarthritis.