About
Arthritis Pain Relief
Does arthritis pain stop you from exercising, pursuing the hobbies you love, or even from enjoying quality time with your family? You’re not alone. Arthritis affects more than 50 million Americans, and it’s the most common cause of disability today. One of the worst things about arthritis is that its effects are often progressive. With each passing year, you might find it harder and harder to live without pain and to enjoy full mobility. Physical therapy with an experienced physical therapist can help you feel and move better, now and for the rest of your life. Contact our office now to get pain relief for arthritis.
What is Arthritis?
Arthritis is a disease that causes problems with your joints. While the majority of people who suffer from arthritis are adults, it can also affect children. There are several symptoms that may lead your doctor to consider a diagnosis of arthritis.
Those symptoms can include:
Swelling in your joints
Skin redness around your joints
New bone growth around your joints
Chronic fatigue
Weight loss
Restricted movement
Your family physician or medical specialist typically diagnose arthritis by taking a comprehensive medical history, performing a physical examination, and analyzing urinalysis and blood test results.
Causes of Arthritis
There are many different kinds of arthritis, but the two most common types are rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. In osteoarthritis, which is also called degenerative arthritis, the cartilage within your joints is damaged. In rheumatoid arthritis, which is also called inflammatory arthritis, your immune system turns on itself to start attacking your joint lining. Damage can include both cartilage and bone destruction over time.
Although the exact cause of arthritis isn’t always known, the most common contributing factors are:
Heredity: if your parents, siblings, or other immediate relatives suffer from arthritis, you’re more likely to have it yourself.
Age: the odds of arthritis increase as you age.
Obesity: when the body has to support a lot of extra weight, it puts a major strain on weight-bearing joints.
Joint injury: previous joint injury leaves your joints more vulnerable to developing arthritis.
Infection: both bacterial and viral infections can have residual effects that contribute to arthritis.
No matter what the cause of your arthritis, there is hope. Your physical therapist can help you live a full life again.
How Physical Therapy Helps Arthritis
Although there isn’t currently a cure for arthritis, there are highly effective solutions for arthritis pain and mobility issues. While medication can help with pain, it provides only temporary relief that does nothing to solve your long-term issues.
Physical therapy is a powerful and non-invasive way to get pain relief for arthritis as well as freedom from your other symptoms — all without medication. To get the best possible outcome, physical therapy should begin as soon as you’re diagnosed with arthritis. This can help ensure that your symptoms don’t become debilitating in the long term.
Physical therapy helps with arthritis in many ways. Your therapist will help you strengthen your body while still protecting your joints using a customized exercise plan. If you need a medical device like a walker, you’ll learn the best usage techniques to guard against injury while still growing stronger. When your body is strong and your joints are properly protected, you’ll experience fewer symptoms and have a lower chance of injury.
Your physical therapist also helps with natural pain relief. You’ll use effective pain relief methods such as heat application, cold pack application, and ultrasound therapy. You’ll have some of these pain relief treatments here at our facility, and you’ll also learn how to perform natural pain relief treatments like heat application at home as needed. Your physical therapist will make sure that you have the tools you need to feel your best.
Arthritis pain, stiffness, and mobility problems don’t have to rule your life any longer. Our physical therapy team delivers expert evaluation, customized treatment programs, and great results.