Osteoarthritis, or degenerative joint disease, results when the cartilage protecting the end of bones breaks down over time. This leads to pain, tenderness, stiffness, joint locking and inflammation of the joints. Although the lost cartilage can’t be repaired, exercise and therapy designed to increase joint mobility help to reduce pain and allow greater range of motion in the affected areas of the body.
To treat osteoarthritis, manual therapies may include one, or a combination of, the following: