Understand Your Arthritis to Keep Moving
While arthritis is very common, it is not actually a single disease. In fact, it is a description of joint pain or joint disease. The Arthritis Foundation reports there are more than 100 types of arthritis! Our innovative care strategies at MVPT will help you find quick relief. Some of the most common forms of arthritis that we encounter in physical therapy are are degenerative and inflammatory in nature.
- Osteoarthritis (OA)-occurs when the protective cartilage that cushions the ends of bones wears down over time. Although OA can damage any joint, the most common include the hands, knees, hips and spine. What does OA feel like? LEARN MORE
- Ankylosing spondylitis (AS)-is an inflammatory disease that causes pain and stiffness in the spine and pelvis, as well as other joints such as the hips, knees, feet and shoulders. AS is a hereditary disease that is chronic in nature. LEARN MORE
- Rheumatoid arthritis (RA)– is a chronic inflammatory disorder that can impact more than just the joints of the body. This autoimmune disease can also affect the sk in, eyes, heart and blood vessels. Unlike OA, RA affects the lining of joints. LEARN MORE
- Juvenile Arthritis (JA)– is a pediatric rheumatic disease, that is an ‘umbrella’ term to describe the inflammatory, autoimmune disease. JA is typically diagnosed in children under the age of 16. LEARN MORE
Where Does it Hurt?
Any joint in your body can be susceptible to arthritis. However, below are some of the common areas of the body physical therapists treat for arthritis:
- Spine: There is a full and wide range of symptoms that typically occur with spinal arthritis. Whether impacting neck, facets, or the sacroiliac joint, pain is very commonly a limiting factor for those diagnosed. LEARN MORE
- Shoulder: The shoulder has two joints- the glenohumeral joint (the ‘ball and socket) and the acromioclavicular joint (where the clavicle/’collar bone’ meets the shoulder). LEARN MORE
- Hip: Osteoarthritis of the hip is the wearing down of cartilage, the lining that covers bones. In the hip joint, this would be the wearing down of the “ball and socket”-the ball being the femoral head and the socket being the acetabulum. LEARN MORE
- Knee: OA in knees is very common. As OA in the knees progresses, pain is caused by the degeneration and inflammation of cartilage, ligaments and tendons. LEARN MORE
But How Can Physical Therapy Help Me?
Your physical therapist will be able to identify your specific type of arthritis and determine its severity. They will help explain the impact it will have on your life, as well as how to modify the activities you enjoy. They will even point out new ones that are safe too!
Don’t let arthritis pain stop you- physical therapy can help improve your daily life!
What will You Gain in Physical Therapy?
Increased Mobility & Range of Motion
Through a combination of manual techniques, mobility exercises, and stretching, physical therapy can improve your ability to move with more comfort. Even the smallest increase in range of motion can drastically improve your life! Above all, these techniques will also reduce your pain, allowing you to exercise more comfortably and further improve your symptoms.
Muscle Strength to Support Joints
Arthritis can cause the protective cartilage around your joint to wear away, which can cause extremely painful friction. Physical therapists will work with you to provide tailored exercises to strengthen the muscles around your impaired joint, which will decrease friction and ease pain.
Understanding of Fitness to Encourage Physical Activity
If you’re in pain due to arthritis, you might be hesitant to participate in physical activity. Believe it or not, low impact physical activities can slow the progression and reduce the pain of arthritis. Your physical therapist will choose the proper exercises that will help you avoid injury and encourage healing.
Improved Flexibility
You will benefit from stretching by lubricating joints and enhancing and maintaining range-of-motion. Participating in daily stretching can help your stiff joints and improve mobility. Physical therapists can prescribe specific stretches that will target your afflicted joints.
Balance Improvement
Arthritis can cause muscle weakness, lack of joint function, and minimized mobility—all of which can throw a patient’s balance off. Physical therapists can introduce exercises that mimic everyday activities to improve your balance and reduce your fall risk.
Posture Alignment
Proper posture can greatly improve your arthritis symptoms. For many of us, posture can easily slip our minds. Physical therapists teach you ways to adjust your posture during sitting, standing, or exercising to take stress off of your joints.
THE PAYOFF
Physical therapy has been proven to improve the symptoms of people suffering from arthritis. According to one study, patients who participated in physical therapy for knee osteoarthritis experienced 50% more pain relief and improvement of function compared to those who did stretching and mobilization exercises on their own.
Your physical therapist is your go-to source for information about living a full and active life with arthritis symptoms. Don’t let arthritis pain stop you! Physical Therapy can help you move more and enjoy the activities you enjoy. Call any MVPT Physical Therapy location today or click here to submit an appointment request to get started.
Tags: Arthritis Pain Relief, Joint Pain, Chronic Joint Pain, aquatic exercise, Physical Therapy, Arthritis, Osteoarthritis
