Mississauga Pain Clinic offering chiropractic, physiotherapy, massage therapy and orthotic services to residents of Churchill Meadows InMississauga
Mississauga Pain Clinic offering chiropractic, physiotherapy, massage therapy and orthotic services to residents of Churchill Meadows InMississauga
Did you know that osteoarthritis affects about one in seven Canadian adults? That’s a lot of stiff knees, achy backs, and hips that creak louder than a haunted house! But here’s the good news: while we can’t yet cure osteoarthritis, we can absolutely manage it—and we can do it together.
At the Muscle and Joint Clinic, we believe in helping people move better so they can live better. Let’s break down what osteoarthritis is and how you can fight back—naturally and effectively.
Osteoarthritis (OA) is what happens when your joints slowly wear down over time. Think of it as the “rust” of the human body: the cartilage that cushions your joints thins out, and bones start rubbing together. The result? Pain, stiffness, swelling, and less mobility.
It’s most common in the knees, hips, hands, and spine—and while it can show up at any age, it’s more common as we get older (but let’s not blame the candles on the cake just yet!).
Osteoarthritis (OA) isn’t just “wear and tear”—it’s a complex biological process that affects the entire joint, not just the cartilage. Let’s walk through what’s actually happening beneath the surface.
🦴 Step 1: Cartilage Breakdown
Your joints are lined with smooth, rubbery cartilage that allows bones to glide over one another. In OA, this cartilage starts to soften, fray, and eventually wear away. The culprit? A disruption in the balance between the cartilage-building cells (chondrocytes) and the enzymes and inflammatory molecules (like matrix metalloproteinases and cytokines) that break cartilage down. As the breakdown process accelerates, the cartilage can no longer cushion the joint properly.
⚙️ Step 2: Bone Changes
With less cartilage to absorb shock, bones begin to rub against each other. In response, the body tries to protect itself by building more bone—a process called sclerosis. Unfortunately, this leads to bony overgrowths known as osteophytes (bone spurs), which can cause pain, reduce mobility, and irritate surrounding tissues.
💧 Step 3: Synovial Inflammation
OA isn’t a purely mechanical disease. There’s also a low-grade inflammatory component. The synovium (the lining of the joint capsule) becomes inflamed and produces excess synovial fluid. While fluid normally lubricates the joint, in OA, this fluid can be rich in pro-inflammatory mediators that contribute to joint swelling, stiffness, and pain.
🧱 Step 4: Ligament and Muscle Involvement
Over time, the ligaments that stabilize your joints can loosen or thicken, leading to joint instability. Meanwhile, muscles surrounding the joint may weaken due to pain or disuse, which further reduces joint support and increases the risk of injury.
🧠 Why Does It Hurt?
Pain in OA isn’t only about the bones and cartilage. Nerve endings in the subchondral bone (just beneath the cartilage) become more exposed as cartilage thins, leading to increased sensitivity. Inflammation and chemical changes in the joint fluid can also activate pain receptors.
So, while OA often begins as a mechanical issue, it quickly becomes a full-joint condition—impacting bones, cartilage, synovium, ligaments, and muscles. Understanding this helps us design better, holistic treatment plans at the Muscle and Joint Clinic.
– Morning stiffness that lasts more than 30 minutes
– Swelling or tenderness in your joints
– Clicking or grinding sensations
– Trouble bending, walking, or gripping things
If any of these sound familiar, don’t brush them off. Your joints might be trying to tell you something.
Here’s the great part—there are plenty of ways to reduce OA pain and improve your quality of life without jumping straight to surgery or medication.
At the Muscle and Joint Clinic, we offer a range of treatments that help:
✔️ Restore joint movement
✔️ Reduce inflammation
✔️ Strengthen supporting muscles
✔️ Improve your posture and gait
✔️ Reduce pain and stiffness
Whether it’s chiropractic care, physiotherapy, massage therapy, or cold laser therapy, our team is trained to deliver customized care that targets the root of your pain—not just the symptoms.
Yes, lasers! (But not the sci-fi kind.) Cold laser therapy uses low-level light to promote healing at the cellular level. It’s painless, drug-free, and clinically proven to reduce inflammation and accelerate recovery. A great option for arthritic joints!
Staying active is one of the best ways to fight OA, but it has to be the right kind of movement. We’ll work with you to develop a home-friendly plan that’s joint-safe and actually enjoyable. That might include walking, swimming, light resistance training, or gentle stretching.
Disclaimer:
This blog post is for informational purposes only and is not intended to serve as medical advice or replace consultation with a qualified healthcare professional. Always consult your doctor or a licensed healthcare provider before beginning any new exercise or nutrition program, especially if you have pre-existing health conditions or concerns. The Muscle and Joint Clinic is not responsible for any injury or health condition that may arise from the use or misuse of the information provided.
