What is Osteoarthritis?
Osteoarthritis is a chronic degenerative joint disease that occurs due to the wear and tear of joint cartilage, leading to pain, stiffness, and limited movement. It is commonly associated with aging, excess weight, joint injuries, and genetic factors.
Symptoms:
✅ Joint pain and stiffness
✅ Limited range of motion
✅ Cracking or popping sounds in the joints
✅ Morning stiffness
Effectiveness of Manual Therapy in Osteoarthritis
Manual therapy uses specialized musculoskeletal techniques to improve joint mobility and reduce pain.
🔹 Joint Mobilization: Supports joint movements, enhances synovial fluid circulation, and may help reduce pain (Bennell et al., 2015).
🔹 Myofascial Release: Relaxes muscles and reduces pressure on joints, potentially improving mobility (Steultjens et al., 2004).
🔹 Atlas Correction Therapy: Aligns the spine to balance weight distribution, which may provide relief in knee, hip, and spinal osteoarthritis.
🔹 Craniosacral Therapy: Helps regulate the nervous system and alleviate chronic pain (Haller et al., 2021).
Scientific Evidence:
📌 A study by Bennell et al. (2015) found that manual therapy can reduce pain and improve mobility in knee osteoarthritis (Journal of the American Medical Association).
📌 A meta-analysis by Steultjens et al. (2004) concluded that manual therapy improves joint function in osteoarthritis patients (Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases).
