what is osteoarthritis?
osteoarthritis affects over 8 million people in the uk, most commonly developing after age 40. contrary to common belief, oa is not a wear-and-tear disease in most cases — it’s primarily genetic. the condition involves cartilage thinning in joints, exposing nerve endings and causing pain.
trauma to joints (fractures or ligament sprains) may increase the risk of oa in that specific joint due to damage to the bone surface. but for most people, the primary driver is genetic predisposition combined with lifestyle factors.
what it feels like.
where the pain is
- pain — dull ache, throbbing or sharp
- stiffness, particularly in the morning, that eases with movement
- loss of joint mobility
- possible swelling
- referred pain away from the affected joint
- sleep disruption from prolonged static positions
- aggravated by immobility and cold; eased by movement and heat
how we treat it.
we start every journey with a thorough assessment — the right diagnosis is the foundation of successful treatment. depending on what we find, we typically combine several of the following:
- exercise, exercise, and more exercise — stretching and strengthening programmes
- manual therapy (soft-tissue mobilisation, joint mobilisation)
- acupuncture and dry needling for pain relief
- supportive taping and joint supports
- custom orthotics (insoles)
- tens therapy
- corticosteroid injections
- medication and supplement advice
faqs.
do i need a gp referral?
no — you can book directly with us. if you're using private medical insurance (aviva, vitality, wpa, axa and others) your insurer may require a referral; check your policy before booking.
how many sessions will i need?
most patients resolve acute issues in three to six sessions. chronic or complex cases can take longer. we'll give you an honest timeline at your first assessment.
what should i bring?
something you can move in — shorts and a t-shirt for lower-limb work, a vest for shoulders. we have changing rooms if you're coming straight from work.
how soon can i be seen?
we always strive to have same-day availability, and evening and saturday morning slots are available.
