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“IS MY JOINT PAIN ARTHRITIS?”

Writer's picture: Sarah CourtSarah Court


This is one of the most common questions I hear from people struggling with joint pain.

There is often a misunderstanding about "wear and tear", particularly when it comes to osteoarthritis (OA), and it seems to be feared as the looming end of comfort and the start of inevitable decline of mobility and independence.

But wear and tear can be misleading and doesn't truly explain how our bodies work - or why we feel pain.


Saying your body is "wearing out" is like something you’d hear from a mechanic about your car's tyres or engine. It makes it sound like the only options are to stop moving or replace the part.


But here's the thing: the body is not a machine, and this analogy falls apart when you consider how the human body responds to your environment, movement, and exercise.

Unlike your car, your body is made of living tissue, with an incredible ability to adapt, heal, and get stronger when you use it.


Ask yourself:


  • Does your car fix its own dents?

  • Does it grow bigger the harder you drive it?

  • Does the engine get stronger after long trips?

  • Does it repair itself when it's not working properly?


If you answered 'yes' to any of these, I’ll trade you my car - no questions asked!


But here's the good news—your body does have these abilities:

  • It can repair itself after injury.

  • Your muscles and bones get stronger with resistance training.

  • Your heart becomes more resilient with endurance exercise.


What is Osteoarthritis?


Firstly, any diagnosis ending in '-itis' simply means 'inflammation' and is purely an observation, not a prison sentence or even a treatment plan.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is when the cartilage, the smooth covering on the ends of your bones, starts to wear down. The body then tries to “repair” this by doing things like:


  • Creating small bony growths (osteophytes) around the joint.

  • Thickening the joint fluid.

  • Inflaming the joint capsule.

  • Reducing the joint space, which can be seen on an X-ray.


The pain we feel is not due to wear and tear, but is due to the inflammation. Wear and tear (or as I like to call it "wear and repair") is not painful and is a natural adaptation - especially with age or poor postural alignment of the area - and is capable of repairing itself with a little help.


How can I help myself repair?


When pain sets in, it’s natural to want to move less, but this weakens the muscles around the joint, giving it less support. Weaker muscles can worsen the roughening of the cartilage, and things spiral from there.


Many people believe that joints, especially the knees, “wear out” from activity like running. However, research shows that regular, moderate exercise, like running, can actually reduce your risk of developing knee osteoarthritis.


Exercise is incredibly beneficial for OA, especially when done gradually and with guidance. Yes, starting to move more can be uncomfortable and feel like hard work, but getting help from someone who understands your situation is crucial.


It's not all about exercise, though. I so often comes across patients who were given exercises to do, but that were, quite simply, as helpful as a chocolate teapot. And even if they were adequate, exercises can take a long time to work, need discipline and motivation, and can even make you worse if they're not right for you.

However, hands-on therapies can really help speed things up, but if you're think right now, "I've tried that," or, "but my problem has gone too far", think again.


A Better Solution?


Bowen Therapy (Bowtech) is by far the most gentle and effective treatment out there in the world today. Yes, as a Bowen therapist, I am totally biased! But, with good reason. Over the 20 years I've been doing this, I have heard countless stories of other therapies not working, working short-term only, or making people worse. However, a handful of gentle sessions of Bowtech, and the results can feel amazing.



Together, we can find your starting point, map out where you want to go, and help you get there.


Sarah Court BSc BTAA

Advanced Bowtech Therapist

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©2018 by Sarah Court Bowen Therapy

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