Discover the Benefits of Physical Therapy for Joint Pain Management
Arthritis is a broad term that encompasses hundreds of different diseases. Inflammation and pain in the joints are common symptoms of osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and other types of arthritis.
Whatever type of arthritis you have, you’re probably dealing with varying degrees of pain. If you’re taking opioids for arthritis pain, you should be aware that there is an alternative: physical therapy.
How physical therapy can help with joint pain
It is true that bed rest is sometimes the best treatment for arthritic joints. Many of us, however, find it impractical to take long periods of rest in bed or at home away from work.
In addition, not getting enough exercise or activity into your daily routine can worsen the condition by weakening your muscles.
Fortunately, there is a solution! Your physical therapist will be able to brace a painful joint to isolate it. Bracing provides natural pain relief for arthritis patients.
Depending on the location of your pain, treatment may include wrist splints or neck collars. There is a specialized treatment option for every joint, no matter where your pain is!
Are you living with arthritis?
If you have osteoarthritis, you are most likely experiencing pain, stiffness, and limited flexibility. Rheumatoid arthritis can cause similar symptoms as well as damage to organs. Psoriatic arthritis and gout are two other types of arthritis that can cause pain, inflammation, and limited mobility.
Arthritis pain can interfere with even the most basic daily activities. Laundry, cooking, and walking up and down stairs can all be challenging. The intensity of pain can also vary from day to day. Unfortunately, it’s all too easy to become reliant on strong pain relievers to deal with arthritis pain, but physical therapy is a much safer option.
The dangers of opioids for pain relief
- They are highly addictive and often interact with other medications. In 2016 there were approximately 42,000 deaths related to opioid overdoses. If you’re currently taking some type of opioid for your arthritis pain, it’s important to know that there is a safer alternative that can reduce and even eliminate pain.
- Opioids are a strong narcotic that works to numb pain. They have the ability to bind to the opioid receptors in the brain and limit the pain messages that are sent to the brain. Both oxycodone and morphine are considered opioids. While opioid medications can be beneficial when carefully used over short periods of time, they are not without serious drawbacks.
Common physical therapy treatment methods
Physical therapy can be an effective alternative to taking opioids for arthritis pain. There are several specific ways that a physical therapist can help an individual struggling with arthritis pain:
- Targeted Exercises – A physical therapist can teach you exercises that will increase flexibility and strength. These exercises can also reduce the pain you experience when carrying out daily activities. According to the American Physical Therapy Association, research shows that individuals with arthritis can exercise without making pain worse.
- Home Modification Recommendations – A physical therapist will be able to make suggestions for your home environment that can help ease arthritic pain. These might include mats to stand on in your kitchen, ergonomic chairs, or certain types of mattresses or bedding you can use.
- TENS Therapy – TENS is Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation therapy. This type of physical therapy includes pulses of electricity used to target arthritis pain. A physical therapist can place electrodes on the skin over the area of pain. Low amounts of electricity pass through to the joints. This can temporarily relieve arthritis pain.
- Manual Therapy – A physical therapist can provide massage or use hot or cold therapy to ease arthritic pain. Massage can help improve circulation which can reduce joint pain.
- Assistive Device Demonstration – During physical therapy treatment you can also learn how to correctly use devices such as braces, canes, or walkers.
How physical therapy can help with arthritis pain
People who live with arthritis pain frequently resort to costly surgery, steroid injections, and prescription medications to alleviate their symptoms. These treatments can sometimes help patients with severe arthritis; however, physical therapy and natural treatments are more often than not the better way to go.
Arthritis does not discriminate, and while it is more commonly found in elderly patients, it can affect anyone at any age. 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.”
Arthritis is also one of the leading causes of disability in the United States. Patients living with arthritis can have extremely painful symptoms for long periods of time if they are not treated by a professional. Contact a physical therapist to find out how you can reduce arthritis pain.
Ready to find a natural pain relief option?
If you have arthritis pain, a trained physical therapist can help you increase your mobility while decreasing your pain.
Even if you are already taking opioids, an individualized physical therapy program may be able to assist you in reducing the amount of medication you are currently taking.
Give Preferred Physical Therapy a call today to learn more about how physical therapy can help you and reduce your arthritis pain and live life more comfortably!
