Osteoarthritis (OA) is a very common degenerative disorder that affects joints and is common in people aged over 45 years. It is most common in weight bearing joints such as the spine, hips and knees, but can occur in any joint. 

In a normal joint, the ends of the bones are covered by a layer of cartilage. Cartilage helps the joint move smoothly and cushions the ends of the bones. In OA, the cartilage breaks down and becomes thin. 

Like the tyres on a car, we all wear out with use eventually. However, just as tyres wear out faster if the wheels are out of alignment, joints may wear out faster if we have poor muscle balance or if joints are injured. For this reason, having proper care to restore and maintain joint alignment and improve muscle function is important. 

Chiropractic techniques to help people with osteoarthritis are aimed at gently returning movement to the joints and improving stability in the muscles. Most people with osteoarthritis can expect some improvement with chiropractic care, although the generation itself will remain. 

Research has shown supplements such as Fish Oil, Glucosamine and Chondroitin can be of some benefit to arthritic joints.