Westside Chiropractic
Osteoarthritis care in Burlington.
Osteoarthritis has picked up an unfortunate nickname: “wear and tear.” It makes a joint sound like it has a set number of kilometres in it. That is not really how joints work. Osteoarthritis is a common condition where the cartilage (the smooth layer covering the ends of the bones) and the bone underneath gradually change, but joints are living tissue that keep adapting, and for most people moving more is part of the answer.
What osteoarthritis can feel like
Morning stiffness is the hallmark. Getting out of bed or up from a long sit feels creaky, then the joint loosens as you move, usually within half an hour or so. Through the day it is more of a deep ache that builds with extra activity and settles with rest. We see it most in knees, hips, hands, and the spine. Some people notice grinding, a little swelling after a busy day, or knobblier finger joints.
Why it shows up
There is rarely a single cause. Age, family history, an old joint injury, years of heavy work, and extra body weight through the knees and hips all play a part. So does too little movement. Cartilage has no blood supply of its own and relies on the fluid inside the joint, a bit like a sponge: load squeezes fluid out, easing off lets it soak back in. A joint that barely moves misses out on that. And plenty of people have arthritis changes on an X-ray with little or no pain, so a scan is only part of the story.
Your care
How we help
The evidence is consistent that exercise and staying active are first-line care for knee and hip osteoarthritis, along with weight management where that applies. So the centre of our plan is usually a progressive exercise and rehab program that strengthens the muscles around the joint and builds up what you can do at a pace that suits you. Hands-on care can help you move more comfortably while you do that work, and might include chiropractic adjustments, soft tissue therapy, medical acupuncture, or massage therapy.
To be straightforward: this care will not reverse arthritis or rebuild cartilage. We aim for a joint that moves better and a body strong enough to keep doing what you care about. An achy joint after activity is usually a sensitive one, not a harmed one. We are happy to work alongside your family doctor, and if your assessment points elsewhere, we will refer you on.
How we assess it
We start with your history: which joints bother you, how long your morning stiffness lasts, and what you want to keep doing. Then we check how the joint moves and how strong the muscles around it are, along with the joints above and below, since a stiff hip often changes how the knee and low back work. We explain what we see in plain language and build the plan around your goals.
When to get it checked sooner
Most joint pain from osteoarthritis is not serious, but see a medical doctor promptly if a joint becomes hot, red, and very swollen, if joint pain comes with a fever, or if you suddenly cannot bear weight on a leg. The same goes for morning stiffness lasting more than an hour with several swollen joints, which can suggest inflammatory arthritis (a different type, driven by the immune system). These point to something other than osteoarthritis. We will refer you on if your assessment suggests it.
Common questions
Osteoarthritis questions
Can a chiropractor help with arthritis?
Is it safe to exercise with osteoarthritis?
Do I need an X-ray first?
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