Arthritis & Joint Pain — Burnaby BC
Arthritis Doesn't Have to Mean Accepting Pain as Normal.
Arthritis causes progressive joint degeneration — but the rate at which it progresses and the amount of pain it generates are significantly influenced by spinal alignment. At Adapt Spine Centre in Burnaby, we use the Gonstead method to reduce the mechanical load on arthritic joints, restore mobility, and help you live with less pain.
6M+
Canadians are affected by arthritis — the leading cause of disability in Canada
Drug-Free
Reduce joint stress and improve mobility without medication
No Referral
Book directly — no GP visit required first
Understanding Arthritis
Why the Spine Is Central to Managing Arthritis Pain
Arthritis refers to inflammation and degeneration of joints. The two most common forms are osteoarthritis (OA) — the gradual wearing away of joint cartilage from mechanical stress and ageing — and inflammatory arthritis (including rheumatoid arthritis), which involves an immune response attacking joint tissues. Both forms are significantly affected by the mechanical environment of the spine.
When the vertebrae of the spine misalign, they create uneven load distribution across the entire musculoskeletal system. Joints above and below a spinal misalignment bear abnormal compressive forces — accelerating cartilage wear in the facet joints of the spine itself, and altering the loading patterns on the hips, knees, and ankles. This is why so many arthritis patients find their joint pain worsening in predictable patterns that coincide with spinal dysfunction.
While chiropractic cannot reverse existing cartilage loss, correcting the spinal misalignments that create uneven joint loading gives arthritic joints the best possible mechanical environment — reducing pain, slowing further degeneration, and often producing significant improvements in mobility and quality of life. Many arthritis patients from across Burnaby Heights, North Burnaby, and East Vancouver tell us that Gonstead care gave them their independence back when medication alone could not.
Stiffness and reduced range of motion — especially pronounced in the morning or after periods of rest
Chronic aching or grinding pain in the spine, hips, knees, or hands
Pain that worsens with activity and improves briefly with movement before flaring again
Joint swelling and tenderness — particularly in the facet joints of the cervical and lumbar spine
Bone spurs (osteophytes) detected on imaging, associated with nerve irritation and spinal stenosis
Common Forms of Arthritis We Help With
Types of Arthritis Commonly Helped by Gonstead Chiropractic
Spinal osteoarthritis
Degeneration of the facet joints and intervertebral discs — the most common arthritis presentation we see. Gonstead care reduces the mechanical stress that accelerates facet joint degeneration.
Hip osteoarthritis
Hip joint degeneration is closely linked to sacroiliac joint dysfunction and lumbar misalignment. Correcting pelvic and lumbar mechanics reduces the abnormal hip loading that drives OA progression.
Lumbar spondylosis
Lower back facet joint arthritis from decades of vertebral misalignment and compressive loading. One of the most common drivers of chronic lower back stiffness and pain in patients over 50.
Cervical spondylosis
Age-related degeneration of the cervical spine — disc narrowing, bone spur formation, and facet arthritis that causes neck pain, stiffness, and sometimes arm symptoms.
Sacroiliac joint arthritis
Degeneration of the SI joints causes deep buttock pain and can mimic sciatica. Specific Gonstead analysis identifies SI joint involvement and applies targeted corrections to restore proper joint mechanics.
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA)
While RA requires medical management, spinal care plays a supportive role in maintaining joint mechanics, reducing secondary mechanical strain, and preserving function during and between flares.
The Gonstead Approach to Arthritis
Reducing the Mechanical Load That Drives Arthritic Pain
Arthritis management with Gonstead chiropractic is not about forcing movement into stiff joints. It is about identifying and correcting the vertebral misalignments that are creating abnormal mechanical stress on your arthritic joints — giving them the best environment to function with less pain and less progressive damage.
Degenerative X-Ray Analysis
We take weight-bearing spinal X-rays that reveal disc height loss, osteophyte formation, facet joint changes, and vertebral alignment — giving us a complete picture of your arthritis severity and the specific levels under the greatest mechanical stress.
Targeted Spinal Corrections
Gonstead adjustments at arthritic spinal levels use appropriate force and technique specifically adapted for degenerative tissue. We never apply high-force manipulation to severely arthritic joints — every correction is calibrated to your specific findings and comfort.
Slowing Progression
By reducing the uneven loading that accelerates cartilage and disc degeneration, consistent Gonstead care helps slow the rate of arthritis progression — giving you more good years before the degeneration reaches a level requiring more invasive intervention.
Common Questions
Arthritis FAQs
Can chiropractic care help with arthritis?
Yes — particularly for osteoarthritis with a mechanical component. Chiropractic care cannot reverse existing cartilage loss, but it can significantly reduce the pain, stiffness, and functional limitations of arthritis by correcting the spinal misalignments that create abnormal joint loading. Many arthritis patients experience meaningful pain reduction and improved mobility with regular Gonstead care.
Is it safe to have chiropractic adjustments when I have arthritis?
Yes, with appropriate technique. Gonstead adjustments for arthritic patients are adapted based on your X-ray findings — using less force and modified approaches for severely degenerated joints. We review your imaging before any adjustment and will always tell you honestly if your degree of degeneration requires a different approach or additional specialist involvement.
I have arthritis in my knees and hips — can a chiropractor help with that?
Often, yes. Hip and knee OA is frequently aggravated by sacroiliac joint dysfunction and lumbar or pelvic misalignment that creates abnormal loading on these joints. By correcting the spinal mechanics driving uneven hip and knee loading, we can reduce your joint pain and slow the mechanical progression of your OA — even if we are not directly adjusting the knee or hip itself.
Related Conditions
Arthritis Is a Condition to Manage Well. We Can Help You Do That.
Book your initial exam at Adapt Spine Centre in Burnaby. We'll take a thorough look at your spine and joints — and give you a clear, honest picture of how Gonstead care can reduce your pain and protect your mobility.
Located at 3961 Hastings Street #101, Burnaby BC · Open Mon–Sat · No referral required