Arthritis is common condition that causes pain and inflammation in the joints of the body and affects millions of people worldwide. The name Arthritis is an umbrella term to describe a broad group of joint disorders with all very different origins, symptoms and outcomes. Two of the most common forms of arthritis are osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). While both can lead to pain, stiffness, and reduced quality of life, they differ significantly in their presentation and how they are best managed.
As an osteopath and naturopath, I believe the most effective approach is one that looks beyond the joint itself and considers the whole person — including movement, lifestyle, diet, gut health, sleep and stress. In this blog, I’ll explain the key differences between OA and RA, and how osteopathy, exercise, and naturopathic principles can support your recovery and long-term health.
Understanding Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is often described as a “wear and tear” condition, but this description is overly simplistic. OA is a degenerative joint condition involving changes to cartilage, bone, synovial fluid, and surrounding soft tissues.
Common features include:
- Gradual onset of pain and stiffness
- Symptoms that are often worse with activity/movement and better with rest.
- Reduced joint range of motion
- Crepitus (grinding or crackling sensations)
- Localised and often single joint involvement (such as knees, hips, spine and hands)
Osteoarthritis is now understood to involve low-grade inflammation (link here) rather than just a pure mechanical wear and tear condition.
Understanding Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis is a long term systemic autoimmune condition that causes chronic joint pain and inflammation, joint swelling that can also look red and hot. In this condition, the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissues that surround the joints such as the synovial lining. If left unmanaged and treated it can lead to progressive joint damage and disability.
The key features of RA include:
- Affects symmetrical joints (e.g. both hands or both wrists)
- Prolonged morning stiffness (often lasting more than an hour) A big difference between OA and RA!
- Swelling, warmth, and redness around joints
- Fatigue, brain fog, and systemic symptoms
- Symptoms can fluctuate with flare ups and remissions.
RA can also affect the body in other ways too such as the cardiovascular system, lungs, eyes and overall health. This makes a whole-body, integrative approach essential.
How Osteopathy Can Help
Osteopathy focuses on optimising movement, structure and function of the body, recognising that the body works as a whole rather in isolated parts.
In both OA and RA, osteopathic treatment may help by:
- Improving joint mobility
- Lubricating the spine and limbs passively
- Supporting circulation and improving lymphatic drainage
- Reducing protective muscle spasm and tension
- Supporting the nervous system’s ability to regulate pain
I will stress, osteopathy does not aim to “fix” or reverse these conditions, but rather to help the body adapt, move more efficiently and reduce any unnecessary strain on the body.
In RA, osteopathic treatment is always adapted to the person and avoiding aggressive techniques during inflammatory flares and focusing instead on gentle techniques.
Soft Tissue Therapy Massage
Before I was an Osteopath I used to work in the health and fitness industry. I used to visit people in their home as a mobile Sports Massage therapist and would practice Neuromuscular therapy aka NMT. Soft tissue therapy (which is an umbrella term that includes a variety of soft tissue manipulation techniques like massage, NMT, muscle energy technique and also strain counter strain. Soft tissue therapy in this case plays a vital role in managing arthritic pain and can often lead to:
- Muscle guarding and overactivity
- Muscle stiffness
- Compensation patterns
Targeted massage therapy and soft tissue work can:
- Improve tissue hydration and mobility
- Reduce pain
- Improve confidence in your ability to move
- Support your recovery between exercise sessions
The Role of Exercise and Movement
Exercise is one of the most powerful and important tools in managing arthritis and arthritic pain when appropriately prescribed.
The benefits include:
- Improved joint nutrition and cartilage health
- Increased muscle strength and joint stability
- Reduced pain
- Improves confidence
Movement and exercise shouldn’t be viewed as dangerous but in the right dosages can be therapeutic, self empowering and keeps you the person involved in your own rehab rather than relying on any given passive treatment. As explained in the you tube video above, many people in pain (especially with degenerative arthritic pain) people can fear exercise incase it hurts and this can allow for muscle wastage and atrophy which does not support joint health, strength and stability. Exercise can help you rebuild muscle strength, mass and will give you a greater sense of stability. Exercise is a energy booster, it can improve your mental health and has many positive and far reaching affects on the body, no matter how little that is.
A Naturopath “holistic” Perspective
From a holistic naturopathic point of view, arthritis is not just a joint problem. Pain can also be reflected by the total load placed on the system, often referred to as allostatic load.
Diet and Inflammation
Your diet, what you eat and also when you eat can influence the inflammatory pathways in your body, it can stimulate the immune system into over drive, and increase pain sensitivity. Very much like turning the volume button up in your remote control.
Dietary considerations may include:
- Reducing ultra-processed and pro-inflammatory foods
- Balancing and stabilising your blood sugar levels by eating regularly, monitor portion size and choosing the right micronutrients for your unique needs
- Ensuring adequate protein for tissue repair
- Identifying potential food sensitivities that may contribute to immune activation
No single “arthritis diet” exists, but personalised nutrition can make a meaningful difference.
Gut Health and the Immune System
The gut plays a key role in health and immune regulation. Gut irritation, inflammation can lead triggers in the immune system. Supporting gut health may involve:
- Improving digestion and nutrient absorption
- Supporting gut microbiome diversity
- Reducing chronic gut irritation
- Addressing factors such as medications, stress, and diet that impact gut integrity
A calmer gut often supports a calmer immune system.
Stress and the Nervous System
Chronic pain can be heavily influenced by stress which affects the nervous system and how your body responds to pain, especially when increases in your allostatic load can amplify pain via something called central sensitisation.
By taking a holistic and naturopathic point of view, my aim is to help you the person rather than just treating symptoms. I do this by improving:
- Stress management
- Breathing and relaxation techniques
- Sleep optimisation
- Gradual reintroduction of safe, confident movement
Bringing It All Together
Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are different conditions, but both benefit from a whole-person, integrative approach.
By combining all the tools discussed above like Osteopathy, Naturopathy, diet and lifestyle – as well as exercise and movement we can make strides to reduce unnecessary strain on your body.
The goal is not simply to manage symptoms, but to help people move with confidence, clarity, and purpose — even in the presence of arthritis.
If you’re struggling with joint pain and want an approach that looks beyond the scan or diagnosis, a holistic assessment may be the first step forward.
All the best for now
Tom