Many of our clients come to us with a diagnosis of Arthritis, given to them by their doctors as the cause of their ongoing pain. Additionally, they’re often told that this condition is irreversible, implying a lifetime of medication or even the possibility of joint replacement. But what really is arthritis? And does it mean you’re destined to live in pain forever?

According to the Mayo Clinic, arthritis is described as the swelling and tenderness experienced in one or more joints. The main indicators of arthritis are joint pain and stiffness, typically becoming more pronounced as one gets older. 

The two most common types of arthritis are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

Osteoarthritis occurs when the cartilage, the tough and smooth tissue that covers the ends of bones where they meet to form a joint, starts to deteriorate. While rheumatoid arthritis is an immune system disorder that initiates joint inflammation, starting with the joint linings.

In simpler terms, arthritis involves joints becoming swollen and tender, causing discomfort and stiffness. The prevailing notion that it’s an unalterable condition leading to perpetual pain might not be entirely accurate. There are various treatments and approaches available that can help manage the pain, improve joint function, and enhance the overall quality of life. So, while arthritis might bring challenges, it doesn’t necessarily mean enduring pain for the rest of your life.

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is typically a result of ‘wear-and-tear’ on the joints. This occurs because of misaligned joints and the resulting additional stress on the cartilage causes degradation. You can think of it like a car tyre wearing down unevenly due to extra pressure on a specific area. 

This can stem from previous injuries, poor postural habits, damage incurred from physically demanding occupations like farming or construction, and lifestyle factors such as carrying excess weight, not engaging in enough physical activity, and maintaining an inadequate diet.

Similar to how a tyre wears out unevenly when a car’s wheels are misaligned, a joint can also undergo uneven deterioration if there’s an issue with the alignment of the body. Let’s take the example of someone with left knee pain as shown in the illustration below. It’s evident that there’s a broader pattern of dysfunction in the entire body, affecting not just the knee joint but multiple other joints too. Even though the discomfort is presently felt in the knee, it’s possible that it might also manifest in the upper body or trunk if the person’s activities involve greater use of their arms. For instance, if they decide to paint a few walls, they might start experiencing discomfort in areas beyond the knee.

In essence, the body operates as a connected system, and issues in one area can often lead to problems in seemingly unrelated parts. Addressing the underlying alignment and movement patterns can contribute significantly to reducing joint wear and alleviating associated discomfort.

Rheumatoid arthritis

On the other hand, Rheumatoid arthritis stands as a type of autoimmune inflammatory arthritis. In cases of autoimmune arthritis, it’s vital to catch and treat the condition early. Typically, the treatment approach involves a mix of medications along with effective lifestyle management. This entails engaging in regular, gentle movement that doesn’t aggravate the inflammatory response, adopting an alkaline diet, and reducing stress levels.

Where does Lyno fit in with Arthritis?

When addressing Osteoarthritis, the primary focus revolves around conducting a comprehensive assessment of the body’s mobility. This assessment aims to identify recurring movement patterns responsible for inducing misalignment. These patterns are inherent to an individual’s habits and form over time, often as a way to compensate for past injuries, emotional stress, and physical strain in particular areas. When pain arises, our autonomic nervous system responds to either confront or evade it. It’s during this time that we develop these dysfunctional movement patterns, which eventually become our new norm in how we move. Regrettably, these flawed movement patterns unevenly burden our joints, ultimately manifesting as arthritis.

Upon completing a thorough body assessment, we gain precise insights into how to guide the body back to a neutral movement pattern. Our approach involves a gradual and gentle technique, targeting the restrictions within the fascia that sustain these dysfunctional patterns.

Upon reestablishing a neutral alignment, the excessive wear-and-tear on the joints diminishes, leading to a cessation in the inflammatory process.

Research has indicated that supplements like Glucosamine Sulphate hold the potential to restore cartilage, effectively reversing the damage process to a certain extent. This suggests that a degree of damage can indeed be reversed.

In summary, the core strategy for tackling Osteoarthritis involves assessing and correcting movement patterns, allowing the body to return to a state of balanced movement. By addressing the underlying causes of misalignment, using gentle techniques, and considering supplements, there’s a chance to mitigate joint wear and even reverse some of the damage incurred.

In the context of Rheumatoid arthritis, Lyno plays a significant role in reducing inflammation by releasing fascia restrictions triggered by pain. When the inflammatory phase intensifies, patients often reduce their movement to evade discomfort. This lack of movement causes limitations in the fascia’s ability to glide, leading to the joints becoming compressed. This compression contributes to heightened inflammation. Moreover, a substantial psychological aspect is at play; the fear of pain can result in unresolved emotional trauma, manifesting in restricted movement. This creates a cycle where limited movement reinforces pain, trapping the patient in a self-perpetuating loop.

Through the application of our gentle techniques, specifically targeting restricted fascia areas, we enhance movement and consequently help manage inflammation. These techniques are so delicate and precise that they engage the autonomic nervous system, ultimately enhancing functionality while reducing pain.

Arthritis shouldn’t be viewed as a life sentence. Rather, it serves as a reminder that your body might be in need of attention. It signals the necessity to address the underlying causes of cartilage damage. Approaching the condition merely symptomatically might provide temporary relief, yet the true management or potential reversal of arthritis hinges upon investigating its root causes.