Can chiropractic help with arthritis?

As a common condition affecting millions of people worldwide, joint stiffness and chronic aches can cause a great deal of discomfort and disruption to daily life. It is an issue that impacts people from all walks of life, from dedicated athletes dealing with joint trauma to older adults experiencing age-related wear-and-tear. This fact sheet is designed to provide you with a comprehensive overview of arthritis, its different types, and how chiropractic care may offer a supportive path to managing symptoms and improving your quality of life.

In this article, Dr. Simon Nash (Chiropractor) discusses the various forms of joint inflammation, the mechanical differences between them, and the clinical approaches a chiropractor might take to help manage these symptoms.

Please note: The information provided in this article is for general knowledge and informational purposes only, and does not constitute medical advice. It is essential to consult with a qualified healthcare professional for an accurate diagnosis and a personalised treatment plan.

Table of Contents

1. Can Chiropractic Help With Arthritis?
2. The Three Primary Types of Arthritis
3. Osteoarthritis and Degenerative Joint Changes
4. Inflammatory and Autoimmune Arthritis
5. The Chiropractic Approach to Managing Arthritis Symptoms
6. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
7. Book a Consult with Our Chiro Brisbane
8. References
9. Video Transcript

Can Chiropractic Help With Arthritis?

A question that frequently comes up in clinical practice is whether manual therapies can offer genuine relief for those suffering from arthritic changes. When joint stiffness sets in and everyday movements become painful, finding a safe, conservative management strategy is a high priority for many patients.

The short answer is yes chiropractic care can be highly beneficial, though the clinical objective is focused on symptom management, joint tracking, and functional optimisation rather than a structural cure. While it cannot reverse underlying bony degeneration, targeted conservative care plays a vital role in restoring mobility and easing the secondary mechanical strains placed on the body.

The Three Primary Types of Arthritis

To understand how chiropractic care fits into a treatment plan, it is first essential to recognise that arthritis is not a single, uniform condition. Different types require vastly different clinical approaches.

“So primarily there’s three types of arthritis,” Dr. Nash explains. “You’ve got psoriatic arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis.”

Understanding which form is driving your joint pain dictates whether the clinical focus should be on correcting mechanical loading patterns or gently soothing the soft tissues surrounding highly active, systemic inflammation.

Osteoarthritis and Degenerative Joint Changes

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most widespread variation of joint disease seen by primary care practitioners. It is largely characterised by the gradual breakdown of protective cartilage within the joints, leading to altered joint spaces and structural compensation.

“And most commonly we would see conditions that are osteoarthritis or degenerative change as we get older or as we have trauma to certain joints,” says Dr. Nash. “You would see osteoarthritic change.”

When a joint experiences historical trauma such as an old sports injury or simply accumulates decades of uneven mechanical loading, the joint cartilage thins out. In response, the body often develops small bony outgrowths known as osteophytes (bone spurs) to distribute the weight. This mechanical shift leads to a classic presentation of morning stiffness, localised deep aches, and restricted range of motion.

Inflammatory and Autoimmune Arthritis

In contrast to the wear-and-tear nature of osteoarthritis, conditions like rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA) are systemic, autoimmune diseases. In these cases, the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks the synovium (the soft lining of the joints), creating severe, widespread inflammatory cascades.

“Psoriatic arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are more inflammatory or autoimmune issues,” Dr. Nash points out. “So they can be quite nasty and very inflammatory.”

Patients experiencing an active flare-up of an autoimmune condition present with distinct clinical markers that set them apart from standard degenerative wear.

“So they are the ones where people have big red joints and issues around the actual movement of joints,” Dr. Nash explains.

Because these conditions involve systemic processes, manual care does not attempt to alter the underlying disease path. Instead, the focus pivots to providing gentle, supportive care to relieve the structural stress that builds up around these highly sensitive areas.

The Chiropractic Approach to Managing Arthritis Symptoms

Because mechanical dysfunction and inflammation go hand-in-hand, a chiropractor’s role is to optimise how the rest of the musculoskeletal system behaves around the arthritic site. A peer-reviewed study published in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics demonstrated that conservative manual therapy and hip rehabilitation protocols yielded significant improvements in both pain scores and mobility outcomes for patients suffering from osteoarthritis (Brantingham et al., 2012).

When addressing osteoarthritis, the primary clinical objective is to relieve structural overload.

“So we would use gentle mobilisation techniques, help change the biomechanics of that affected area,” says Dr. Nash. “And that would be around the muscle tissue, around the joint movement.”

He further emphasises the limitations and realistic goals of this approach:

“Obviously we can’t fix arthritis, but you can help reduce the pain associated and the poor biomechanics with arthritis.”

For autoimmune presentations like RA and PsA, the approach shifts away from direct mechanical joint adjustments toward soothing the surrounding soft tissue structures. A comprehensive systematic review highlighted that integrating multi-modal conservative therapies alongside standard rheumatological medical management provides optimal symptomatic relief and functional support for individuals navigating chronic inflammatory arthritis (Whittaker et al., 2017)

“So again, we would just reduce the muscle tension around those affected areas and help reduce that inflammation in conjunction with certain medications,” Dr. Nash clarifies.

By working collaboratively alongside a patient’s medical team, chiropractic management aims to provide holistic relief. As Dr. Nash concludes:

“And that’s probably the primary differences between arthritis… chiropractic can help with the reduction of the symptoms of arthritis.”

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: Can a chiropractor reverse the joint damage caused by osteoarthritis? A: No, chiropractic care cannot reverse, cure, or undo the physical bony changes and cartilage thinning associated with osteoarthritis. However, it can significantly improve joint movement, optimise load distribution, and reduce the associated pain and muscle stiffness around the affected joint.

Q2: Is it safe to see a chiropractor if I have an autoimmune condition like rheumatoid arthritis? A: Yes, provided your practitioner modifies their approach. During active autoimmune flare-ups, direct manual spinal adjustments are avoided on the inflamed joints. Instead, gentle soft-tissue therapies and passive mobilisations are used to reduce surrounding muscle tension, working safely in conjunction with your prescribed medications.

Q3: How do I know if my joint pain is osteoarthritis or an inflammatory type? A: Osteoarthritis pain typically worsens with prolonged use and improves with rest, often presenting as a deep, localised ache. Inflammatory arthritis (like RA or psoriatic arthritis) frequently features hot, swollen, red joints, severe morning stiffness lasting longer than an hour, and systemic symptoms like fatigue. A full clinical assessment and blood tests/imaging are required for a formal diagnosis.

Q4: What are “gentle mobilisation techniques” compared to standard adjustments? A: Gentle mobilisation involves low-velocity, passive joint stretching and rhythmic movements within the patient’s comfortable range of motion. Unlike a traditional high-velocity chiropractic adjustment (which can sometimes produce a clicking sound), mobilisations are highly controlled, gradual movements designed to safely restore flexibility to arthritic joints.

Q5: Can historical joint trauma from sports cause arthritis later in life? A: Yes. Joint trauma, such as old ligament tears, fractures, or severe sprains, can permanently alter the biomechanics and loading patterns of a joint. Over time, this unequal weight distribution accelerates the wear-and-tear of cartilage, leading to what is clinically known as post-traumatic osteoarthritis.

Q6: Should I apply heat or ice to an arthritic joint when it aches? A: For osteoarthritis accompanied by stiff, aching muscles, applying heat is often highly effective at relaxing the tissue and improving local blood flow. However, if you are experiencing a severe inflammatory flare-up where the joint is visibly red, swollen, and hot to the touch, a cold pack is preferred to help reduce local inflammation.

Book a Consult with Our Chiro Brisbane

We understand how incredibly exhausting and frustrating it can be to live with chronic joint pain. Dealing with arthritis isn’t just about managing a dull ache; it’s the daily worry of wondering if your knees will hold up during a simple walk, the irritation of waking up so stiff that getting out of bed is a struggle, and the quiet sadness of stepping back from activities and hobbies you genuinely love. It can easily feel like your body is working against you.

At Our Chiro Brisbane, we meet you with genuine empathy, open ears, and targeted clinical solutions. Our team is committed to helping you break free from the cycle of constant discomfort by evaluating your unique movement patterns and tailoring a care strategy just for you.

If you are ready to address the mechanical strains impacting your joints, we invite you to explore our dedicated Chiropractic Services or learn more about our comprehensive Rehabilitation and Care Programs.

Take a proactive step toward moving with ease again. Book a thorough consultation with the experienced team at Our Chiro Brisbane today or call (07) 3257 0399

References

Brantingham, J. W., Bonnefin, D., Perle, S. M., Cassa, T. K., Globe, G., Pribicevic, M., Hicks, M., & Korporaal, C. (2012). Manipulative Therapy for Lower Extremity Conditions: Update of a Literature Review. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, 35(2), 127–166. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmpt.2012.01.001 

Whittaker, J. L., Booysen, N., Motte, S. de la, Dennett, L., Lewis, C. L., Wilson, D., McKay, C., Warner, M., Padua, D., Emery, C. A., & Stokes, M. (2017). Predicting sport and occupational lower extremity injury risk through movement quality screening: a systematic review. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 51(7), 580–585. https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2016-096760

Video Transcript

A question that we often get from patients is can chiropractic help with arthritis? So primarily there’s three types of arthritis. You’ve got psoriatic arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. And most commonly we would see conditions that are osteoarthritis or degenerative change as we get older or as we have trauma to certain joints. You would see osteoarthritic change. So we would use gentle mobilisation techniques, help change the biomechanics of that affected area. And that would be around the muscle tissue, around the joint movement. So with osteoarthritis, we’re trying to reduce the inflammation, the load through that joint. Obviously we can’t fix arthritis, but you can help reduce the pain associated and the poor biomechanics with arthritis. Psoriatic arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are more inflammatory or autoimmune issues. So they can be quite nasty and very inflammatory. So they are the ones where people have big red joints and issues around the actual movement of of joints. So again, we would just reduce the muscle tension around those affected areas and help reduce that inflammation in conjunction with certain medications. And that’s probably the primary differences between arthritis. But yeah, chiropractic can help with the reduction of the symptoms of arthritis.