 Arthritis, a common chronic condition, can significantly impact a person's quality of life by causing pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility. While medication can provide relief, physical therapy is a powerful ally in managing arthritis symptoms and regaining functionality. By employing targeted exercises and sometimes lifestyle modifications, physical therapy can help individuals with arthritis reclaim their freedom and live a more fulfilling life. Let's explore the transformative benefits of working with a physical therapist in managing arthritis and improving overall well-being.
Understanding Arthritis and its Challenges Arthritis encompasses a group of conditions that cause joint inflammation and pain. Osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are the most common forms. OA occurs due to normal joint wear and tear, while RA is an autoimmune disorder. Regardless of the type, arthritis can limit mobility, affect joint function, and cause discomfort. Physical therapy addresses these challenges by focusing on pain management, increasing range of motion, strengthening muscles, and improving joint stability. Physical therapists work closely with patients to develop tailored treatment plans based on their needs and goals, considering factors such as joint involvement, medical history, and lifestyle. Exercise and Strengthening Physical therapy emphasizes the importance of exercise to manage arthritis effectively. Physical therapists help patients strengthen the muscles surrounding the affected joints through controlled and targeted exercises. Strengthening exercises improve joint stability, alleviate pain, cause positive mechanotransduction to the damaged cartilage, and enhance overall function. Activities like low-impact aerobics, stretching, and resistance training can effectively improve muscle tone and joint flexibility. Physical therapists provide guidance on proper techniques, ensuring exercises are performed safely and without exacerbating symptoms. Regular exercise also aids in weight management, reducing joint stress, and promoting better overall health. Range of Motion and Flexibility Arthritis often restricts joint mobility, leading to stiffness and reduced range of motion. Physical therapists employ various techniques to improve joint flexibility and restore mobility. Passive range of motion exercises involve the therapist gently moving the joint to its full extent, while active range of motion exercises engage the patient in actively moving the joint themselves. Additionally, stretching exercises target specific muscle groups, promoting flexibility and reducing joint stiffness. By incorporating these exercises into a regular routine, individuals with arthritis can regain freedom of movement and perform daily tasks with greater ease. Pain Management Strategies Managing pain is a crucial aspect of physical therapy for arthritis. Physical therapists employ a range of techniques to help individuals alleviate pain and discomfort. These may include manual therapy (joint mobilizations or soft tissue techniques), electrical stimulation, and ultrasound. Physical therapists also educate patients on posture correction, ergonomic modifications, and joint protection techniques to minimize pain during daily activities. Additionally, we may recommend assistive devices such as braces, splints, or canes to provide support and reduce joint stress. By implementing these strategies, physical therapy empowers individuals to take an active role in managing their pain and improving their quality of life. Lifestyle Modifications and Education Physical therapy extends beyond the treatment sessions. Therapists provide valuable education on lifestyle modifications to support the long-term management of arthritis. This may include guidance on healthy eating habits, weight management strategies, and the importance of regular physical activity. Education empowers individuals to make informed choices and integrate self-care practices into their daily routines, reducing the impact of arthritis on their lives. Physical therapy serves as a powerful tool for managing arthritis. Give us a call today to see how we can help you. According to the CDC, Arthritis is the most common cause of disability among adults in America. It limits everyday activities for millions of people. If you don't have arthritis, chances are someone you know does.
Arthritis is a diagnosis that means you have pain related to changes in your cartilage, the bone below the cartilage, and inflammation of the synovial membrane. These changes often cause joint swelling, stiffness, and pain. You may be at risk if you are older, obese, have had previous joint injuries, or have a family history of arthritis. Osteoarthritis means that bones are getting closer to each other. There may be bone spurs, changes in the cartilage, and the end of the bone, which is commonly called degenerative joint disease. Interestingly, arthritis is often considered the cause of pain as people age. However, many other factors affect the pain, and arthritis may not be the primary cause. Many people are skeptical that anything can be done for their arthritis. This is often because they have friends who haven't found relief, or another doctor has told them that it's only going to get worse. The first steps to dealing with arthritis are learning the facts, understanding the condition, and knowing that there is help along the way. Unfortunately, there is no cure yet for arthritis, but there are a lot of current treatments that help arthritis. Physical therapy is one of them. Our physical therapists are excited when someone comes in with arthritis because of how much improvement these patients typically see. Many people walk out the first day with noticeable relief from their arthritis pain. Rarely do we not see at least a 50% improvement in pain over the course of treatment. Like you, many are skeptical initially, but we do have great success with osteoarthritis. Physical pain from arthritis might tempt you to stay still as movement can cause pain. You can avoid pain by not moving, but that won't help you out in the long run. Joints that don't move will stiffen even more and become even more sensitive to pain! Physical therapy interventions help you increase your range of motion and decrease your pain. How does it do this? It improves the health of all the tissues in and around the joints and makes them more tolerant to activity. We begin by giving a thorough evaluation to determine how much arthritis plays a role in your pain to provide you with the best treatments. The most common interventions include targeted exercise for range of motion and increased load tolerance, joint manipulation, and dry needling. Arthritis is a pain. (Literally!) But that doesn't mean you have to stop living. There are ways to treat it. You can feel better. Call and schedule an appointment today! Additional resources we have available for those with arthritis:
Have you been told that you're bone on bone and surgery is the only option? Bone on bone is a reference to the increased severity of osteoarthritis in a joint. Bone on bone suggests that the amount of cartilage on the bones in the joint is reduced, and inflammation is present.
There's the perception that bone on bone means that the entire joint is smashed on top of itself, and there is nothing left of the tissue. This is a misconception, and rarely is it actually bone on bone. Yes, even if it feels extremely painful. As we age, it's normal for there to be less space in our joints. But when we hear "bone on bone", we fear the worst. Rest assured; there is hope and other options besides surgery. Even some people who are told they have "bone on bone", have very little pain. The APTA (American Physical Therapy Association) shared that current research showed that 60% to 70% of those who first worked with a physical therapist did not have surgery in a group of patients deemed surgical candidates for knee replacement. One year later, those results were unchanged. For many, surgery is avoidable. Pain and imaging don't always line up. X-rays ignore all the soft tissue, all your muscles and can mislead where the pain is coming from. The pain may not always come from arthritis or "bone on bone." Sometimes the pain comes from the joint above or below even if a doctor has told you it's arthritis in that joint. When you see one of our physical therapists, we consider all areas of the body. The pain in your knee may be coming from your back or ankle. If you've been told you have "bone on bone", give us a try before scheduling surgery. We've never caused a surgery, but we've prevented a lot. We start with a 30-45 minute thorough evaluation. We don't just look at the area of concern; we look above and below. We will take the time to listen to your health journey, and TOGETHER we will plan the best treatment option. After each visit, we assess your progress and modify as needed. We also offer post-care opportunities to keep you moving and mobile. We want to see you playing with your grandkids and getting back to the walking or hiking you enjoy. Let us help you improve your mobility and strength and avoid surgery. If you are interested, give us a call today at 520-459-1386 or email us at notifyrpp@gmail.com to ask any questions. May is National Arthritis Awareness Month. According to the CDC, Arthritis is the most common cause of disability among adults in America. It limits everyday activities for millions of people. If you don't have arthritis, chances are someone you know does.
Unfortunately, there is no cure yet for arthritis. We are very grateful for organizations like the Arthritis National Research Foundation and The Arthritis Foundation who actively support and pursue cures. However, there are a lot of current treatments that help arthritis. Physical therapy is one of them. Our physical therapists are excited when someone comes in with arthritis because of how much improvement these patients typically see. Patients seeing progress motivates us! The most common interventions included targeted exercise for range of motion and increased tolerance to load, joint manipulation, and dry needling. Many people walk out the first day with noticeable relief of their arthritis pain. Another interesting fact is that arthritis is often considered the cause of pain as people age. However, there can be many other factors that affect the pain and arthritis may not be the primary cause. We will give you a thorough evaluation to determine how much arthritis plays a role in your pain to provide you with the best treatments. The first steps in conquering arthritis are learning the facts, understanding the condition, and knowing that there is help along the way. Schedule an appointment today. What is arthritis?
Arthritis is a diagnosis that means you have pain related to changes in your cartilage, the bone below the cartilage, and inflammation of the synovial membrane. These changes often cause joint swelling, stiffness, and pain. Over 50 million people in the US have arthritis. You may be at risk if you are older in age, obese, have had previous joint injuries, or have a family history of arthritis. Arthritis is a pain. (Literally!) But that doesn't mean you have to stop living. There are ways to treat it. How can physical therapy help? Physical therapy treats all kinds of physical pain and conditions through exercise and movement. But did you know physical therapy can help you treat your arthritis? Physical pain from arthritis might tempt you to stay still as some movement can cause pain. You can avoid pain by not moving, but that won't help you out in the long run. Joints that don't move will stiffen even more and become even more sensitive to pain! Physical therapy interventions help you increase your range of motion and decrease your pain. How does it do this? It improves the health of all the tissues in and around the joints and makes them more tolerant to activity. Many people are skeptical that anything can be done for their arthritis. This is often because they have friends who haven't found relief or they've been told by another doctor that it's only going to get worse. This does not line up with our experience at Rainey Pain & Performance. It is rare that we don't see at least a 50% improvement in pain. What now? If you have been suffering from arthritis, it's time to stop struggling with it on your own. There are plenty of treatments available. At Rainey Pain & Performance, we can help you find the best way to treat your arthritis through physical therapy. Our team of providers will come up with a treatment regimen specific to your individual needs. Schedule an appointment today! |