Doctors of Osteo Hawthorn offers osteopathic techniques to reduce aches
We know that it's hard to find time for yourself sometimes. That is why we have Doctors of Osteo, conveniently located in Hawthorn. Doctors of Osteo Hawthorn offer osteopathy techniques such as exercise and massage therapy with a focus on injury recovery in order to reduce those aches so you can get back into your day-to-day activities more quickly. Doctors of Osteo does this by using Laser Therapy, Osteopathy, Myotherapy and Dry Needling as well as Shockwave therapy in order to be able to give each patient what they need most, by getting the best care.
Doctors of Osteo do what they do so that you can move and feel better! With more than 13 years of experience as a team of highly skilled practitioners with the most up-to-date knowledge on pain prevention for all ages. The goal of Doctors of Osteo is to make sure that all patients receive the best care. A common condition they can treat is Osteoarthritis.
What is Osteoarthritis?
Osteoarthritis (OA), also known as Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD), is a condition that affects the whole joint including bone, cartilage, ligaments and muscles. The two bones of a joint are normally protected by smooth, cushioning material called cartilage. In osteoarthritis, this cartilage breaks down, causing pain and stiffness in the joint.
Osteoarthritis is one of the most common forms of arthritis. It is most likely to form in people over the age of 45 or those who have had joint injuries.
Some of the common symptoms of osteoarthritis:
- Stiffness (especially in the mornings)
- Joint pain
- Muscle weakness
Knee Osteoarthritis
Research shows there are some things that may put you at more risk of developing OA in certain joints, such as:
- Knees: being overweight; having a previous knee injury; jobs involving kneeling; climbing and squatting
- Hips: being overweight; having a previous hip injury; jobs involving lifting heavy loads (including farming); a family history of osteoarthritis
- Hands: a family history of osteoarthritis; repetitive use or previous injuries to the hands; being overweight
Exercises beneficial for Osteoarthritis
Research has shown that people with osteoarthritis should engage in exercise as it is the most effective non-drug treatment for reducing pain and improving movement in osteoarthritis.
Aerobic Exercises
Excess body weight is a risk factor for the development and progression of osteoarthritis. Due to gravity, every kilogram equates to 7kg of pressure onto the knees. This results in the cartilage within the joint wearing away quickly. Aerobic exercise helps to control weight gain. This form of exercise also decreases fatigue and improves your mood.
Range of Motion Exercises
With osteoarthritis, creaky and clicking joints and pain and stiffness of the joint make it very difficult to move it in certain ways. This may lead to the inability to complete simple everyday tasks. However, putting the joint through range-of-motion exercises can help maintain flexibility in the joints. These exercises include gentle stretching and movements that take the joints through their full span (e.g. circle motions).
Strength and Resistance Training
Strengthening the muscles surrounding the affected joint helps forms a protective barrier around the weakened joint and place less pressure on the joints, which leads to less pain and stiffness. Strength training also has other benefits including increased bone density which helps guard against another condition, osteoporosis!
Nutrition
The best diet for osteoarthritis is a healthy, balanced diet. Recommended servings of fruit and vegetables are about one and a half cups of fruits, and two to three cups of vegetables per day. Research suggests that eating foods with ‘healthy’ fats may help reduce the symptoms of arthritis. These healthy dietary fats include:
- Monounsaturated fat (olive oil, canola oil, sunflower oil, avocados, nuts and seeds)
- Omega-3 fats (sardines, salmon, oily fish)
It is also beneficial to include the following foods into your diet:
- Broccoli
- Ginger
- Olive oil
- Vitamin C and D enriched food
Foods and drinks to avoid when you have osteoarthritis
- Saturated and trans fats found in foods like butter, meats, and processed foods may contribute to inflammation
- High salt or sodium intake will elevate blood pressure
- High sugar intake may stimulate the production of inflammatory substances that can damage joints
How can Osteopathy help with Osteoarthritis?
Osteopathy may be very beneficial in alleviating the symptoms of osteoarthritis. Since one of the main complaints of osteoarthritis is creaky and clicking joints and pain and stiffness osteopaths aim to relax the affected area by loosening the surrounding muscles with soft tissue techniques, muscle energy techniques, as well as indirect techniques. Traction and articulation techniques are greatly used during treatment as these increase the healing process as well as improve the draining of the joint.
In order to address the inflammation that occurs within the joint, we also aim to minimise tissue fluids through techniques targeting the lymphatic system as well as working with the autonomic nervous system to decrease the overexcitement of the nervous system.
Due to the bodily compensation that occurs once a joint is largely affected by osteoarthritis, osteopaths will be also able to help treat any other aches and pains that may occur during the process.
Visit Doctors of Osteo located in Hawthorn, and try Osteopathy Treatment
Osteopathy Treatment is where natural healing meets modern science. For anyone whose life has been impacted by physical pain, injury or discomfort who seeks a compassionate alternative to traditional medicine that will be gentle on their body while being effective at improving its function and reducing painful symptoms - osteopathy treatment may be just what you need!
Osteopathy is patient-centred. This means that Doctors of Osteo will take the time to listen closely, paying attention not only to your injury but also to all aspects of life including diet and exercise habits as these contribute significantly in finding an effective treatment plan for whatever brought on pains.
Doctors of Osteo provide the communities of Hawthorn, Kew, Balwyn, Canterbury, Camberwell, Richmond and Malvern with quality osteoarthritis treatments.
