Choose Physical Therapy For Arthritis Relief
Are you tired? Tired of the ache in your knees or hips every time you stand up? Are you tired of the twinge in your back or the cramps in your hands as you try to get through the day? Maybe you’ve grown tired of feeling like you can’t live the life you want because your joints are constantly in pain. It’s time to find relief from arthritis pain.
If you’ve already been diagnosed with arthritis, it is not too late! It might seem like arthritis is controlling you, but you can be in control of your symptoms. Now is the time to take action! You can stop arthritis by partnering with your physical therapist. Learn why we say ‘movement is medicine!’
What Is Arthritis?
Arthritis is a condition that causes swelling and tenderness of one or more joints. The main symptoms of arthritis are joint pain and stiffness. The most common type of arthritis is osteoarthritis (‘OA’), a degenerative joint disease (DJD) more likely to develop as people age.
The bones in your body are covered with cartilage- a strong, flexible connective tissue that protects your joints and bones. When cartilage breaks down, your bones rub against each other—this is what causes irritation and inflammation. The result? Pain in your joints, muscles, and ligaments that surround these bones.
What Causes Osteoarthritis?
Osteoarthritis affects over 32 million people in the US, with nearly 70% of people over 65 having x-ray evidence of an OA diagnosis. It is essential to note that OA does not happen because of simple wear and tear on the joints. So, if you think being inactive can prevent OA, it’s quite the contrary. Instead, changes in the joint (where two or more bones come together) can trigger the breakdown of cartilage, which usually happens gradually over time.
Other causes of OA include:
- Joint injury or previous surgery: OA can begin due to damage caused by an injury to a joint or following surgery that impacted a joint.
- Age: The risk of developing OA increases as you age.
- Genetics: Those with family members with OA are more likely to develop this condition.
- Body weight: Being overweight or obese increases the stress on joints, thus increasing the likelihood of OA.
- Pre-existing Conditions: Gout, rheumatoid arthritis, and hyper-mobility disorders such as Ehlers-Danlos increase OA incidence.
Identifying the Symptoms of Osteoarthritis
OA most commonly affects the spine, knees, hips, and hands. Some common symptoms include:
- Pain during or after movement of the impacted joint
- Stiffness and loss of joint motion, usually in the morning or after a period of rest
- Swelling and immobility of the joint or surrounding area
- Feeling that the joint is weak, loose, or unstable
- Tenderness to touch with light pressure to or near the joint
- A grinding sensation in a joint with movement, including popping or crackling sounds
Ways to Find RELIEF from Arthritis Pain
A physical therapist can identify your specific type of arthritis (there are over 100 different kinds!), determine its severity, and help you understand its impact on your life. Combining the latest research with deep industry expertise, physical therapists will take a holistic look at your body, life, and goals to build a treatment plan tailored to your needs. Let’s look at how physical therapy can help alleviate your arthritis pain.
R: Restore Balance
Arthritis can lead to muscle weakness, lack of joint function, and minimized mobility, all of which can affect balance. Physical therapists can introduce exercises that mimic everyday activities to improve balance and reduce the risk of falling.
E: Encourage Physical Activity
Low-impact physical activities can slow the progression and reduce the pain of arthritis. Your physical therapist will assess your current strength and mobility and prescribe exercises tailored to what you enjoy, what you can do, and what will improve your strength.
L: Lessen Joint Stress by Strengthening Muscles
Arthritis can wear down the protective cartilage around your joint, causing extremely painful friction. Physical therapists can help you strengthen the muscles around your impaired joint, decreasing friction and easing pain.
I: Increase Range of Motion & Mobility
Arthritis can cause stiffness and severe pain, which can deter patients from wanting to move. Physical therapy, however, can improve one’s ability to move comfortably through a combination of hands-on care, mobility exercises, and stretching.
E: Enhance Posture Alignment
Posture can easily slip our minds, but proper posture can significantly improve arthritis symptoms. So, it’s time to start paying attention! Physical therapists can educate you on adjusting your posture during sitting, standing, or exercising to reduce the stress on your arthritic joints.
F: Focus On Flexibility
Participating in daily stretching can help stiff joints and improve mobility. Physical therapists can prescribe stretches that target afflicted joints. Even the smallest increase in range of motion can drastically improve your life! For example, just a few extra degrees of movement can let you pick up your grandchild comfortably, ride comfortably in your car, or bend down to tie your shoes.
Choose MVPT Physical Therapy for Osteoarthritis Pain Relief
While OA is a chronic condition, you can stay one step ahead of your pain by sustaining an active lifestyle. And when your goals change or your function shifts, your treatment plan can evolve to keep up with your changing life. Partnering with a physical therapist can help you find relief from arthritis pain.
Call any MVPT Physical Therapy location to schedule or complete the form below to request an appointment.
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