Arthritis

Arthritis

What is Arthritis?
Arthritis is pain or swelling of a joint or joints.

Who gets Arthritis?
Arthritis is common worldwide. It affects people regardless of age, gender, race or economic group.
Millions of people in the UK will experience some form of joint pain. For many individuals the pain is not severe and the condition resolves fairly quickly.
It is estimated that in the UK over 8 million have osteoarthritis and over 400,000 have rheumatoid arthiritis.
About 12,000 children under the age of 16 have juvenile forms of arthritis.
About 1.5 million people have gout.

What causes Arthritis?
There is no simple answer to this as the term arthritis includes numerous different conditions that affect joints. Factors that contribute may include physical work, environmental factors, infection, and genetic inheritance.
Previous injury or a physically demanding job can make the development of osteoarthritis more likely.
Rhuematiod arthritis is an auto-immune disease that causes inflammation in multiple joints. The immune system becomes over-active and attacks and damages its own tissues, in this case the lining of the joints. What sets off this process in rheumatoid arthritis is not fully understood.

Gentle osteopathic treatment is suitable for people of all ages.
Osteopaths are fully trained to recognise health conditions and will refer you or your child to a medical doctor or other practitioner if appropriate.

Speak with an osteopath about your health questions.
We offer an initial 15 minute phone call or visit to the clinic to speak with an osteopath about your health issues, free of charge.
Call 07808 670 834 today to arrange a time.