Osteoarthritis
Expert care for Osteoarthritis at Gentle Care Chiropractic in West Linn, Oregon.
Understanding Osteoarthritis
Also known as: OA, Degenerative Joint Disease, Wear-and-Tear Arthritis The old framing of osteoarthritis as irreversible "wear and tear" has been largely replaced by a more useful one: OA is an active biological process, and active, conservative management can meaningfully slow its impact. As cartilage wears down over time, the underlying bone becomes exposed and the joint develops inflammation, stiffness, and bony changes. OA most often affects the knees, hips, hands, and spine, and can involve several joints simultaneously. What matters clinically is that the research consistently points to exercise and weight management (not rest) as the most effective interventions.
Deep joint pain worsening with activity and easing with rest, morning stiffness lasting less than 30 minutes, and crepitus (grinding or crackling) are classic. Symptoms are typically worse after heavy days and often flare with weather changes. Bony enlargement in the fingers and reduced range of motion develop over time. We typically prefer low-force mobilization over high-velocity manipulation at arthritic joints, while using targeted adjustments at adjacent segments that have become restricted.
Graded range-of-motion and strengthening exercises, weight management coaching, and anti-inflammatory lifestyle guidance are central. Low-level laser and PEMF have supportive evidence. We co-manage with your primary care, rheumatologist, or orthopedist and refer when injections or surgical consultation are appropriate. We may recommend: gentle joint mobilization, low-force adjustments to adjacent segments, range-of-motion and strengthening exercises, weight management coaching, anti-inflammatory nutrition, low-level laser therapy, PEMF therapy Seek immediate care if: A joint becomes hot, red, and dramatically swollen with fever, or if pain becomes severe and sudden after minor trauma: these may indicate infection or fracture requiring urgent evaluation.
How We Can Help
At Gentle Care Chiropractic, we take a multi-disciplinary approach, addressing the root cause of your condition, not just the symptoms.
Chiropractic Adjustments
Precise spinal and joint corrections to restore alignment, relieve nerve pressure, and reduce pain. Manual or instrument-assisted based on your needs.
Massage Therapy
Therapeutic massage releases muscle tension, improves circulation to injured tissue, and works synergistically with adjustments for faster recovery.
Physical Rehabilitation
Customized exercise programs strengthen supporting muscles, restore range of motion, and help prevent future flare-ups.
Laser Therapy
Cold laser therapy uses targeted light wavelengths to stimulate cellular healing, reduce inflammation, and relieve deep tissue pain without heat or discomfort.
Electrical Stimulation
E-stim therapy reduces pain and muscle spasm, improves circulation, and supports the healing process. Especially effective for acute injuries.
Personalized Care Plan
Every patient is different. We combine these therapies in a plan tailored to your diagnosis, goals, and lifestyle for the best possible outcome.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Osteoarthritis, answered by our team.
Won't adjusting an arthritic joint make it worse?
This is one of the most common concerns, and it's based on a reasonable worry. The key is technique: we use low-force mobilization and gentle instrument-assisted adjusting at arthritic joints rather than high-velocity thrusting directly into a severely degenerated joint. We also work on adjacent segments that have become restricted as compensation. Done correctly, this improves range of motion and reduces pain without provoking the joint. We avoid direct manipulation of acutely inflamed or hot joints.
My doctor said my X-rays show "bone on bone" — is there anything conservative care can actually do?
More than imaging severity suggests. Pain in osteoarthritis correlates poorly with imaging findings — some patients with severe X-ray changes have minimal pain, and vice versa. The most effective treatments for OA are exercise and muscle strengthening, not rest, and these work regardless of how the X-ray looks. Improving the strength of the muscles around an arthritic joint reduces the load on the joint surface and often dramatically reduces pain even when the structural picture hasn't changed.
Should I be resting when my joint aches, or pushing through?
Pacing rather than resting. Complete rest weakens the supporting muscles and often makes OA worse over time. "Graded activity" — staying active at a level that doesn't provoke a significant flare, then progressively increasing — is what the evidence supports. Walking, swimming, and cycling are excellent low-impact options. The goal is consistent movement, not aggressive loading and not prolonged rest.
What's the difference between osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis — does it matter for treatment?
It matters quite a bit. Osteoarthritis is a degenerative process driven by cartilage wear, mechanical loading, and age. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune condition involving systemic inflammation. Treatment emphasis, medication options, and the role of manipulation differ substantially between them. If joint swelling, warmth, redness, or morning stiffness lasting more than an hour are present, those patterns warrant rheumatology evaluation to rule out inflammatory arthritis before beginning manual care.
Besides chiropractic, what lifestyle changes actually make a meaningful difference for OA?
Two stand out above everything else in the research: exercise (particularly strength training) and weight management. Every pound of body weight places roughly four pounds of force on the knee joint, so even modest weight reduction produces meaningful pain reduction. Anti-inflammatory nutrition (Mediterranean diet pattern), staying well-hydrated, and adequate sleep all support joint health. We coach on these alongside manual care because the combination produces better outcomes than either approach alone.
Ready to Find Relief?
You don't have to live with Osteoarthritis. Our team at Gentle Care Chiropractic is here to help you recover and get back to doing what you love.