When you hear the word arthritis, what comes to mind? For many people, it brings up thoughts of pain, stiffness and getting older. But the reality is much broader – and often less daunting. Arthritis simply means inflammation of a joint. It can range from mild and manageable to more advanced changes in how your joints move and feel.
In our clinic, we most often see two types: osteoarthritis, which is the natural “wear and tear” that happens over time and rheumatoid arthritis, an inflammatory condition where the body’s immune system starts to affect the joints. But here’s what surprises many of our patients: arthritis isn’t just about your joints. It can also affect the surrounding muscles, nerves and even how the rest of your body functions.
Poor posture, past injuries, or years of repetitive stress can put uneven pressure on certain areas, accelerating joint changes and even irritating nearby nerves. That’s why arthritis can sometimes cause symptoms far beyond pain – like tingling, weakness, poor coordination or even headaches.
Why X-Rays Are So Valuable
This is where X-rays become incredibly helpful.
Many people don’t even realise they have arthritis until we take an X-ray. Symptoms don’t always match the underlying problem – sometimes people with quite advanced arthritis barely feel any pain, while others with mild changes can be in significant discomfort. Age isn’t always a factor, either. It’s not unusual for us to see early signs of arthritis in younger people, especially if they’ve had previous injuries, poor posture, or repetitive strain from sports or work.
When you come to us with pain, stiffness, or loss of movement, our goal isn’t just to ease your discomfort – it’s to understand exactly what’s happening inside your body so we can make the right plan for you.
An X-ray allows us to see:
• The alignment of your spine or joints (are they positioned as they should be, or is there strain in certain areas?).
• Signs of arthritis such as joint space narrowing, bone spurs, or changes in bone density.
• Degenerative changes in the discs or joints that may explain your symptoms.
• Old injuries you may not even realise are still impacting your body.
By looking at these images, we can pinpoint exactly which areas are taking too much strain, how advanced any joint changes may be and whether there are other issues contributing to your pain.
How This Shapes Your Care
Without X-rays, we’d only be working with part of the picture. But when we can see exactly what’s going on inside your joints and spine, it transforms how we approach your care.
Firstly, it allows us to be precise. Instead of assuming which areas need attention, we can pinpoint exactly where the stress, degeneration, or inflammation is happening. This helps us target those problem areas with the right chiropractic techniques – whether that’s gentle adjustments, mobilisation, or other supportive methods – so we can get you moving and feeling better, faster.
Secondly, it helps us see the bigger picture. Pain doesn’t always show up at the actual source of the problem. For example, a stiff lower back might be linked to changes in your hip joints, or a headache might be related to neck alignment. An X-ray shows us these relationships clearly, helping us treat the cause, not just the symptoms.
Thirdly, it helps us set realistic expectations. If your X-ray shows a lot of arthritic change, it’s important to know that while we can’t reverse arthritis, we can work to make you more comfortable, improve your movement and help stop it from getting worse. Healing in these cases often takes time, but understanding what we’re dealing with helps us create a plan that’s safe, effective and tailored to your needs.
Finally, it gives you clarity and confidence. Many patients tell us that seeing their X-rays helps them finally understand what’s been going on in their body. It’s no longer a mystery – you can actually see what’s causing your pain or stiffness. That understanding makes it easier to commit to the care plan, do the exercises we recommend and take an active role in your own recovery.
In short, your X-ray tells us the story behind your symptoms and that story allows us to make smarter, safer and more personalised decisions about how to support you.
The bottom line: Arthritis doesn’t have to mean a lifetime of pain or stiffness. With a thorough assessment – and, when needed, X-rays – we can see the full picture, create a personalised plan and help you stay active, mobile and in control of your health.
If you know someone who could benefit from this blog post, please share it with them. We offer a complimentary spine check to anyone who is interested in how chiropractic may be able to help them.
