Osteoarthritis is also known as degenerative arthritis or degenerative joint disease. It is a mechanical problem involving the wearing of joints, including the destruction of cartilage and bone. Symptoms include joint pain and tenderness, stiffness, locking, and sometimes swelling. A variety of causes, including genetic, metabolic, and mechanical, may begin the process of bone destruction. Bony surfaces eventually become less protected by cartilage, and bone is exposed and damaged. Osteoarthritis commonly affects the hands, feet, spine, and the large weight bearing joints, such as the hips and knees, although any joint in the body can be affected. As the disease progresses, the affected joints appear larger, are stiff and painful, and may feel worse the more they are used. The diagnosis is typically made based on signs, symptoms, and X-rays.

Arthritis relief by a Feldenkrais practitioner views restoring the normal functioning of the joints as vital, and takes into consideration that mechanical stress on joints underlies most osteoarthritis. There are many sources of mechanical stress, including poor alignment of bones and poor general biomechanics. Both can be caused by trauma, misuse, disease, and underuse of the body. The Feldenkrais Method takes into consideration:

• Joints are a complicated system of relationships between bones.
• Joint pain only improves when the mechanics of the joint is improved.
• Faulty mechanics of the entire painful area is a common finding chronic pain.
• Altered relations create excessive strain in the joints and soft tissues of the area, with increased inflammation and pain being only one common result.

Have you maximized your arthritis meds and want to avoid surgery?  The Feldenkrais Method is a systematic method to improve human movement and general functioning. Feldenkrais uses simple, gentle movements to reorganize posture, flexibility, strength and coordination and in doing so provides arthritis pain relief . A vital new approach to pain management, Feldenkrais integrates mind and body, using the plasticity of the nervous system to help the body function more efficiently. More efficient use of self creates environments within which arthritis pain can heal. Discover what Feldenkrais can do for your osteoarthritis.