Worrying about Arthritis Joint Wear & Tear Pains?

At Body Back-Up we offer specialist treatment for arthritis at our London and Maidenhead clinics with leading osteopath Robin Lansman. Robin is a former Institute of Osteopathy president, coach, and speaks often on BBC TV and radio about osteopathy and staying healthy.

There is no one-size-fits-all treatment for arthritis. Robin’s approach is centred around treatment and exercises that directly target the particular challenges faced by each unique patient. You will receive an individualised treatment plan and focused, measurable goals, and the prescription of bespoke exericses – which work well with the activities you already enjoy – to promote greater strength and maintain flexibility.

At our London clinic we work closely with the medical staff at Doctor Today, allowing us preferential access to services such as blood tests and x-rays where necessary. We are also experts in treating many of the problems associated with arthritis, and you might also like to look at our knee, ankle, hip and groin, back and neck pain pages.

Arthritis is a common disease that causes pain and inflammation in a joint. There many types of arthritis, of which the two most common forms are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. 

Osteoarthritis occurs when the cartilage in a joint begins to break down, leading to painful changes in the bones and joints. It is sometimes considered as ‘wear and tear arthritis’. Although your risk of osteoarthritis increases with age, osteoarthritis also occurs in younger people and can happen at any age.

Rheumatoid Arthritis is an autoimmune disease which causes joints to become inflamed, causing pain and loss of mobility.

Regardless of the type of arthritis, you are likely to experience pain and weakness in the joints, tenderness, stiffness, inflammation and restricted movement. It is essential to seek out effective treatment to avoid arthritis causing a cycle of chronic pain, where inactivity leads to further stiffness and pain, reducing activity still further.

Pain and loss of movement in one part of the body can easily lead to compensatory reactions in other parts of the body, compounding the problem. For example, pain in the knees or hips could lead to a change in gait and posture, causing spinal misalignment and pain in the back and neck. Pain and loss of mobility can also lead to a general reduction in movement and activity, which can impact overall physical and mental wellbeing.

In an effective arthritis treatment programme it is essential to ensure not only that the joints directly affected by the arthritis remain as mobile and pain-free as possible, but also that the secondary effects are minimised. Negative compensatory reactions elsewhere in the body must be prevented where possible to ensure the body as a whole stays healthy and mobile.

Since these reactions are different for everyone, individualised assessment and treatment are crucial. Rather than “off-the-shelf” exercises which may not be appropriate to your particular case, bespoke treatment and exercises adapted to your particular condition and to the activities you already enjoy will help to build strength, increase flexibility and reduce pain.

There is no cure for arthritis, and treatments generally focus on trying to stem the course of the disease or dealing with the associated pain.

Painkillers and anti inflammatories are often prescribed to attempt to reduce the pain of arthritis and reduce the level of inflammation in the joints. Physiotherapy or massage is sometimes also used to reduce pain and try to increase mobility in the affected joints. In extreme cases, surgery may also be used.

Osteopathy is a hands-on therapy that uses a variety of techniques including spinal manipulation and soft tissue work, such as massage and myofascial release. Osteopathy is a holistic treatment, meaning it looks at the functioning of the body as a whole rather than only looking at individual parts. Osteopathy is an individualised treatment by its nature, making it ideal for the creation of bespoke exercises which will work alongside your daily activities to promote strength and flexibility, and meet the unique challenges your body is facing head-on.

Osteopaths are also specialists in overall body alignment and can keep your spine and other joints aligned, reducing compensatory reactions and referred pain such as back and neck pain which has been caused not by the arthritis, but by the body’s natural compensatory reactions to pain and lack of mobility. Your osteopath can also recommend you on factors like the best mattress, workplace health, and other lifestyle changes that can help you stay healthy.

Osteopaths are Allied Health Professionals who also work in musculoskeletal departments of the NHS, and First Contact Practitioners, able to refer you to another service when osteopathy is not the most appropriate method of treatment.

You might also want to take a look at our first visit expectations to see what to expect on your first visit, or read this article on osteopathy and arthritis from the Arthritis Society of Canada.

No two cases of arthritis are the same and everyone’s body is affected differently. Our specialist treatment focuses on bespoke treatment plans and exercises, and on reactivating stiff muscles that have tightened up to protect the painful joint, which has typically led to referred pain elsewhere in the body and a general loss of mobility. You will receive an individualised treatment plan and bespoke exercises designed to work with the activities you already enjoy to increase strength and flexibility.

We have clinics in West Hampstead and Maidenhead and have many years experience treating arthritis and similar conditions. We are registered with the General Osteopathic Council, and offer treatment in accordance with NICE guidelines. We also offer a discount on arthritis treatment for Arthritis Action members, allowing you more affordable access to the treatment that will help you stay healthy.

We aim to produce a measurable and tangible improvement in your condition, and will work with you from the beginning to produce goals and ways to measure your progress, jointly working towards a life less affected by pain and a better quality of life. If for any reason we do not think that osteopathy will be able to help in your particular case, we will refer you to a more appropriate service.

We pride ourselves on our 6-step treatment process and ensuring that you are listened-to and involved at every step of your treatment, understanding your progress and how long your recovery is likely to take. We also offer diagnostic appointments via online video consultations, offering a quick and easy way to obtain a professional diagnosis.

There are various organisations who offer help and advice on your arthritis:

Versus Arthritis have advice on treatments and on living healthily with arthritis

National Rheumatoid Arthritis Association offer advice and support to those living with rheumatoid arthritis

Arthritis Action support people with arthritis with advice, mental health resources, pain management techniques and online groups

Arthritis Foundation help you to connect with other arthritis sufferers, and champion advocacy and research into arthritis