Live Life More Comfortably with the Help of Physical therapy
Arthritis is a common joint pain problem that can affect people of all ages. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), almost a quarter of all American adults are living with arthritis!
While there is presently no cure for arthritis, with physical therapy, you can learn how to manage your arthritis pain naturally.
For many people with chronic arthritis pain, prescription pain medications may seem as if they are the only way to relieve pain. Fortunately, you have a safer, more effective path toward arthritis pain management: physical therapy.
Our experienced physical therapists recommend completing a variety of targeted exercises to reduce inflammation, increase mobility, and relieve your arthritis pain before turning to more risky alternatives.
Keep reading to learn more about how physical therapy can effectively help relieve your arthritis pain!
What can I expect from physical therapy treatments for arthritis?
If you are experiencing arthritis pain, our physical therapist recommends completing a few different physical therapy exercises to help ease your pain and other symptoms like stiffness.
Some of our favorite exercises include:
- Hand Exercises — Rheumatoid arthritis can often result in limited use of the hands over time. By bending the wrists up and down, slowly curling your fingers, and spreading your fingers wide in a repetitive exercise cycle, you can greatly improve mobility and relieve chronic pain.
- Water Exercises — This is a great low-impact way to get in your physical therapy exercises and relieve joint pain.
- Walking — Going for a walk is a great way to improve your joint health, boost your overall mood, and help with aerobic conditioning.
- Stretching — This simple exercise helps to improve flexibility, increase your range of motion and reduce stiffness caused by arthritis.
Why did I develop arthritis?
Because there are different types of arthritis, there is not one main cause of this type of joint issue.
However, there are certain risk factors that may increase the likelihood that you may develop arthritis in your lifetime:
Previous Injury
If you’ve injured a joint in the past, you have an increased risk of developing arthritis in the same area later in life.
Obesity
When you are carrying excess weight on your body, you are putting increased strain on your joints.
People with obesity have a greater chance of developing arthritis, particularly in the knees, hips, and spine.
Gender
Did you know that women are much more likely to develop rheumatoid arthritis than men? But on the other hand, men are more likely to develop gout.
Age
The risk of developing certain types of arthritis, like osteoarthritis and gout, increases as we age.
Family History
Certain types of arthritis can be genetic issues that run within family lines.
If your parents or siblings have a specific type of arthritis, you are much more likely to develop it at some point in your life as well.
Are you experiencing any of these symptoms?
For most people with arthritis, joint pain is the most common complaint. But depending on the type of arthritis an individual has, they may experience a variety of different symptoms, including:
- Chronic pain
- Impaired range of motion
- Stiffness
- Redness
- Swelling
Common facts regarding arthritis
Arthritis is characterized by swelling or tenderness in one or more of the body’s joints. Joint pain and stiffness are the most common complaints of those with arthritis, and these symptoms may actually worsen with age.
While there are many types of arthritis, the two most common types are rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. With osteoarthritis, the cartilage that covers the end of the bones in the joint begins to break down, resulting in recurrent pain and stiffness.
Rheumatoid arthritis, on the other hand, is a chronic disease that causes the body’s immune system to attack different joints, starting with the actual lining of the joints and breaking them down over time. According to a study on JAMA, “[rheumatoid] arthritis (RA) occurs in about 5 per 1000 people and can lead to severe joint damage and disability.”
Get started on the first steps toward pain relief today
Are you interested in learning more about the benefits of physical therapy for arthritis pain?
Please contact our friendly and experienced physical therapists today to learn more about our services and be sure to schedule your initial consultation!
