A patient walks in with long-term knee pain that “just doesn’t get better.”

They’ve often been told:

• “It’s arthritis.”
• “It’s due to aging.”
• “You’ll have to live with it.”

Understandably, they feel worried. Many think:

“If I have arthritis, I won’t be able to walk properly in the future.”

At the same time, they’re unsure what to do. Some rest too much, while others continue stressing the joint without understanding why it hurts.

Does it sound familiar?

Arthritis is not just one condition

The first step is simple—but often overlooked:
 

What type of arthritis are we dealing with?

Here’s how I explain it to patients:

1. Osteoarthritis (most common)

This is when the joint is unable to handle the load placed on it over time.

It’s often described as “wear and tear,” but more accurately:

The joint is breaking down faster than the body can adapt and repair.

This is usually influenced by:

• Movement patterns
• Muscle strength
• Joint alignment

2. Rheumatoid Arthritis

This is not a wear-and-tear problem.

It is a condition where:

The body’s immune system mistakenly attacks the joints.

These patients benefit from co-managed care, including medical treatment and, in some cases, complementary approaches such as TCM alongside appropriate medical guidance.

3. Gout

This is a metabolic condition.

• Uric acid builds up in the body
• Crystals form in the joint
• This causes sudden, intense inflammation

Management often includes:

• Dietary changes
• Adequate hydration

The biggest misconception: “Arthritis is inevitable with age”

One of the most common things I hear is:

“It’s normal—it’s just aging.”

But here’s the problem with that thinking:

If it’s purely age-related, why does one knee degenerate while the other doesn’t?

Both knees are the same age.

This tells us something important: Arthritis is not just about time it’s about how the body is functioning.

Arthritis is often a load and balance problem

Joints don’t simply “wear out for no reason.”

In many cases, there is an underlying issue:

• Imbalance in the pelvis
• Reduced mobility in the hip
• Poor foot or ankle mechanics
• Spinal involvement

When one part of the body is not functioning well, another part compensates.

Over time:

• One side takes more load
• Muscles tighten
• Movement becomes less efficient
• Wear and tear builds up in that specific joint

It’s not just the joint—it’s the system

When I assess patients with knee arthritis, I often find:

• Tight thighs on one side
• Imbalance and irritation/pain in the pelvis or hip
• Movement patterns that overload one joint more than the other

This is why treating the knee alone is often not enough.

We need to understand how the entire body is contributing to that joint.

Should you rest the joint?

Many patients think:

“If it’s worn out, I should use it less.”

Rest is important—but only at the right time.

• During flare-ups → Rest helps calm inflammation
• After that → Movement becomes essential

If a joint is not used:

• Muscles weaken
• Support decreases
• The joint takes more stress

This actually will increase wear and tear to the cartilage in the knee over time.

The goal is:

• Movement within a pain-free range of motion
• Gradual strengthening over time
• Better load handling

A shift in mindset

Arthritis is common—but it does not mean your life has to slow down.

Many patients improve, move better, and continue living active lives.

But recovery is not passive.

• Treatment helps reduce pain and improve movement
• You still need to strengthen and take care of your body

The chiropractor and doctor’s role are to help your body recover faster. Your role is to keep it strong for the long term.

References

• The Effect of Scalp Acupuncture on Autism: Could This Be a Possible Treatment of Autism?
• The Therapeutic Effect of Scalp Acupuncture on Natal Autism and Regressive Autism
• Smolen JS et al. Rheumatoid arthritis. Nat Rev Dis Primers. 2018.
• Dalbeth N et al. Gout. Lancet. 2016.
• Cross M et al. Global burden of osteoarthritis. Ann Rheum Dis. 2014.
• Bennell KL, Hinman RS. Exercise for osteoarthritis. JAMA. 2015.