Local
muscle strengthening and general aerobic fitness together with manipulation and
stretching should be the core treatments for managing osteoarthritis according
to a major update on guidance to healthcare professionals from the influential
UK National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE)[1]
published this month.
The New
Zealand Chiropractors’ Association (NZCA) has welcomed the guidance, which
recommends care that is widely available from the country’s chiropractors.
According to Arthritis New Zealand over 300,000 New Zealanders are living with
osteoarthritis.
NZCA
spokesperson and chiropractor Dr Hayden Thomas says: `Activity is a key part of
maintaining good joint health. Proper movement and alignment of the spine is
especially important as it forms the lynchpin for overall health and wellbeing
through its relationship with the nervous system. The new guidance points out
that osteoarthritis need not be an inevitable part of ageing or that it will
necessarily get worse. These evidence-based recommendations on the most
effective ways of diagnosing and managing osteoarthritis show that the core
treatment for osteoarthritis remains exercise, which relieves pain for some
people and also improves function.
`As
chiropractors we already offer advice to those with osteoarthritis who are
overweight or obese on ways to lose weight as part of helping them self-manage
their condition and it is good to see this is another amended original
recommendation. We welcome too the recommendation that the symptoms often
caused by osteoarthritis, such as pain and limited joint movement, can be
managed with muscle strengthening, exercise and weight loss if people are
overweight. We note that the original recommendation that manipulation and
stretching should be considered as an adjunct to core treatments, particularly
for osteoarthritis of the hip, has been maintained, all of which reinforces the
important role that chiropractors can play in the management of this condition.
NZCA members are pleased to be working cooperatively with all agencies and
professions in supporting the findings from this research.’
Dr Thomas
points out that research is showing us that we are relying too much on
pharmaceutical medications with potentially dangerous side effects, when what
many of us need to do is take steps to improve our health and wellbeing with
lifestyle changes.
The NZCA
recommends a basic three-point plan to help support healthy joint function and
minimise the possibility of degeneration:
1) Get
Checked - having every member of the family checked by an
NZCA member chiropractor helps the spine and nervous system to function at an
optimal level for overall health and well being. They can also give you great
advice on making positive lifestyle changes.
2) Straighten
Up - doing the three-minute set of
simple exercises recommended by Straighten Up New Zealand every day will help
improve posture, stabilise core muscle groups, enhance health and prevent
spinal disability.
3) Watch
Your Back - it is also important to encourage family members
and work colleagues to stand or sit correctly and to take frequent breaks to
walk around and stretch if they have been sitting down for a while. This will
help to stop muscles getting tight and strained.
Each of
these recommendations alone is great, but in combination they are a real
winning strategy.
For more
information on the Straighten Up campaign, visit www.straightenup.org.nz. Further details on the New Zealand
Chiropractors’ Association can be found at www.chiropractic.org.nz.
-Ends-
Further Information:
Dr Hayden Thomas, Chiropractor 027 299 9939
Peter Boyes 027 554 0500 or peter@boyespr.co.nz
About the New Zealand Chiropractor's Association: The New Zealand
Chiropractor's Association (NZCA) was founded in the 1930's. It is a voluntary,
self-regulating, supervisory body serving both the chiropractic profession and
the public of New Zealand. The purpose of the NZCA is to maintain professional
standards, liaise with various government and health bodies, and to be a
professional voice for chiropractic.
