Arthritis Doesn’t Have to Limit Your Life
Arthritis is a common cause of joint pain in people of all ages. While there is no cure for arthritis, physical therapy can help you learn how to manage your arthritis pain naturally.
Prescription pain medications may appear to be the only option for many people living with chronic arthritis pain. Our skilled physical therapists, on the other hand, advise performing a variety of targeted exercises instead, in order to reduce inflammation, increase mobility, and alleviate arthritis pain. Continue reading to learn more!
What should I know about arthritis?
Arthritis is defined as swelling or tenderness in one or more of the body’s joints. The most common complaints of those living with arthritis are joint pain and stiffness, which can worsen with age. There are many different types of arthritis, but the two most common are rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis.
In the case of osteoarthritis, the cartilage that covers the ends of the bones at the joint begins to break down, resulting in recurring pain and stiffness. Rheumatoid arthritis, on the other hand, is a chronic disease that causes the body’s immune system to attack various joints, beginning in the lining of the joints and gradually breaking them down.
Common symptoms of arthritis
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:
- Swelling
- Redness
- Stiffness
- Impaired range of motion
- Chronic pain
Why should I choose physical therapy over surgery?
According to Harvard Health Publishing,
“Trying physical therapy before opting for surgery may be the better choice. You may be able to spare yourself the expense, pain, and recovery time of surgery, says physical therapist Karen Weber, clinical supervisor at Harvard-affiliated Spaulding Rehabilitation Outpatient Centers in Braintree and Quincy, Mass.
There is growing evidence supporting that idea. In the past few years, studies have indicated that physical therapy is just as effective as surgery for relieving pain and restoring function for people with arthritis in their knees or backs.”
Common causes of arthritis
There are many types of arthritis, but osteoarthritis is the most common type. The cushioning surface on the bones wears away, and bone rubs against bone.
The joints can lose strength, and joint pain is often chronic. With inflammatory arthritis, the immune system goes awry. It attacks the joints with inflammation. This can cause joint erosion and joint pain.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Your Sex
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.
Your Age
The risk of developing certain types of arthritis, like osteoarthritis and gout, increases as we age.
What can a physical therapist do for my arthritis pain?
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:
Stretching
This simple exercise helps to improve flexibility, increase your range of motion and reduce stiffness caused by arthritis.
Walking
Going for a walk is a great way to improve your joint health, boost your overall mood, and help with aerobic conditioning.
Aquatic Therapy
This is a great low-impact way to get in your physical therapy exercises and relieve joint pain.
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.
Schedule a consultation today
Do you want to learn more about the advantages of physical therapy treatments for arthritis pain?
To learn more, please contact our friendly and experienced physical therapist today and make an appointment for an initial consultation!
