Over 32.5 million adults in the U.S. live with osteoarthritis. And the impact goes far beyond sore joints. According to studies, 30% of adults with arthritis say stooping, bending, or kneeling is very difficult.
Another 20% report they either can’t walk three blocks or struggle to push and pull heavy objects. And close to 44% of people with arthritis say it limits their everyday routines in some way.
From what I’ve seen in practice, most people with osteoarthritis don’t just deal with pain they deal with lost independence. At our Wheat Ridge, CO clinic The Disc Chiropractic, we focus more on restoring all the lost motion and function. If you’ve been managing your arthritis pain with pills or avoiding activity out of fear, there’s a better way.
What Is Osteoarthritis?
Osteoarthritis is the gradual breakdown of cartilage—the smooth, protective tissue that lines your joints. As that cartilage wears down, the space between bones narrows, and joints begin to feel stiff, swollen, and painful. You might hear or feel grinding, especially in the knees, hips, spine, or hands.
Unlike autoimmune forms like rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis isn’t caused by your immune system. It’s mechanical. Years of stress, past injuries, poor movement patterns, or just uneven wear slowly change how your joints move and how they feel.
Common Causes and Risk Factors of Osteoarthritis
Degenerative Disc Disease
As spinal discs lose height and hydration with age or injury, more force is transferred to the facet joints in your spine. That overload often leads to spinal osteoarthritis, especially in the lower back and neck.
Leg Length Discrepancy
Even a small difference in leg length can create an uneven gait. That imbalance puts more wear and tear on one side of the body, increasing the risk of OA in the hips, knees, or spine.
Meniscus or ACL Tears
When someone’s had an ACL or meniscus tear, especially if it didn’t heal fully, the knee doesn’t move the way it should. That altered motion puts uneven pressure on the joint, and over time, it starts to wear down the cartilage. That’s how a past injury quietly turns into early-onset arthritis.
Hip Dysplasia
When the ball-and-socket joint of the hip doesn’t form properly, there’s less joint coverage and more friction with every step. That added stress wears away cartilage faster than normal.
Rotator Cuff Tear
A torn rotator cuff in the shoulder disrupts normal joint movement. Without the stabilizing support of these muscles and tendons, the cartilage in the shoulder joint can break down more quickly.
How We Treat Osteoarthritis at The Disc Chiropractic
When I treat osteoarthritis, my goal isn’t just to reduce pain—it’s to help the joint move better and last longer. These are the therapies I often recommend
Chiropractic Adjustments
When I adjust a joint, I’m applying a precise thrust either with my hands or with the aid of an instrument to the bones and joints affected. For osteoarthritis, that often means improving how the joint loads so we’re not grinding the same spots over and over again.
Spinal Decompression Therapy
We use the Triton DTS decompression system to gently stretch the spine and relieve pressure from arthritic joints, especially in the neck and lower back. This traction-based therapy helps reduce joint compression, promote fluid exchange, and alleviate pinched nerves caused by narrowed joint space without the need for surgery.
Shockwave Therapy
Using the Intelect RPW 2, we apply acoustic pulses to stimulate blood flow and tissue regeneration in stiff, arthritic joints. It’s especially effective in knees, hips, and shoulders where circulation is often limited.
Soft Tissue Therapy
We use the Rapid Release™ Pro 3+ to target tight or restricted soft tissues—like muscles, tendons, and fascia—surrounding arthritic joints. It doesn’t affect the joint itself, but by loosening up the tissues around it, we can improve mobility, reduce strain, and help you move with less pain.
Therapeutic Exercise
We guide you through specific, low-impact exercises designed to stabilize your joints, improve muscle balance, and rebuild strength. When the muscles around your joints are doing their job, it helps take pressure off the areas that hurt most.
FAQs About Osteoarthritis
What is the difference between osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis?
Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint condition caused by cartilage breakdown and joint wear over time. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease where the immune system attacks joint tissues. They are separate conditions and require different types of care.
Can chiropractic care help relieve arthritis pain in the knees, hips, or spine?
Yes. At The Disc Chiropractic, we focus on restoring joint mobility, reducing inflammation, and improving alignment. This helps relieve pain and pressure in arthritic joints, especially in the knees, hips, and back.
Is it safe to adjust joints that have degeneration from osteoarthritis?
Yes. We always evaluate joint conditions first. If there is degeneration, we use specific, low-force adjustments to safely improve movement without stressing the joint.
Can osteoarthritis cause nerve pain or symptoms like sciatica?
Yes. When joint space narrows especially in the spine, it can compress nearby nerves. This may cause radiating pain, numbness, or tingling, similar to sciatica.
Don’t Let Osteoarthritis Dictate Your Life
Our $97 New Patient Special is your first step toward lasting joint relief. At The Disc Chiropractic, we’ve helped patients across Wheat Ridge and Denver not only understand why they hurt—but what it takes to move better again, without relying on medications or injections.
If you’re tired of masking symptoms and ready to feel real improvement,
Book an Appointment Now or Call: 720-573-4910