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For many, an osteoarthritis diagnosis sounds like a final verdict: wear and tear, pain, and eventually a joint replacement. Our experience at our practice in Zurich tells a different story – in many cases, osteoarthritis pain can be significantly reduced, mobility improved, and surgeries delayed or avoided. We achieve this with Liebscher & Bracht pain therapy and Winback Tecar therapy, for which osteoarthritis is a core indication.
Osteoarthritis usually manifests as "start-up pain" – the first few steps after getting up or sitting down hurt, then the joint "warms up." Later, pain during activity, stiffness, sensitivity to weather, and limited mobility follow, most commonly in the knees, hips, shoulders, fingers, or spine. Many sufferers restrict their activities more and more – which only worsens the problem, as joint cartilage needs movement.
In the event of sudden, severe swelling, redness, or fever, the joint should first be examined by a doctor.
It is crucial to understand that cartilage degradation itself does not hurt – cartilage has no pain receptors. Studies show that many people with significant osteoarthritis visible on X-rays are completely pain-free. What causes the pain is the overloaded muscles, fascia, and the irritated environment surrounding the joint.
From the Liebscher & Bracht perspective, it usually works like this: shortened, over-tense muscles press the joint surfaces together excessively – this accelerates wear and tear and creates pain. If the pressure is reduced, the pain subsides and the cartilage is relieved. This is exactly where we come in.
Using osteopressure, we reduce the excessive muscular-fascial tension around the affected joint – whether it is the knee, hip, or shoulder. Joint pressure decreases, and pain often subsides significantly within the first few sessions.
Individually tailored "bottleneck stretches" keep the muscles at their full length in the long term, improve mobility, and ensure that the joint cartilage is loaded more evenly and supplied with nutrients more effectively.
Osteoarthritis is a core indication for Winback Tecar therapy: the deep heat can increase mobility, reduce friction in the joint, and improve the gliding ability of the joint surfaces. At the same time, it promotes blood circulation in the tissue near the joint and calms irritation – gently, painlessly, and suitable for all ages.
The combination – double the effectiveness: The Liebscher & Bracht treatment takes the pressure off the joint, while Tecar therapy regenerates and mobilizes the tissue. Many of our osteoarthritis patients in Zurich are now more active and pain-free than they were before their diagnosis.
In a great many cases, yes. Since the pain usually originates from over-tense muscles and irritated tissue – not from the cartilage itself – it can be significantly relieved through tension reduction and deep heat, even in cases of advanced osteoarthritis.
Movement is essential: cartilage is only nourished through loading and unloading. The right, joint-friendly movement is key – we will show you which exercises are good for your joint.
Many patients feel less pain and more mobility after just a few sessions. For lasting results, regular exercises at home are necessary – we will support you throughout the process.
