Arthritis is an inflammatory condition that affects the joints, causing pain, stiffness, and swelling. Arthritis can make even the most basic activities, like getting out of bed or climbing stairs, feel like an impossible task. As a result, we will discuss treating arthritis with physical therapy in this post.
Understanding Arthritis
Before we dive into how physical therapy can help, let’s take a closer look at arthritis itself.
Furthermore, there are many types of arthritis, including:
1. Osteoarthritis: This occurs when the cartilage that cushions the joints begins to break down, causing bones to rub against each other. This ultimately leads to pain, stiffness, and swelling.
2. Rheumatoid arthritis: This type of arthritis occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks your joints, causing inflammation and pain.
However,, the symptoms are similar regardless of the type of arthritis that you have. For example, symptoms may include pain, stiffness, and swelling in the joints.
Therefore, these symptoms can make it difficult to move around, perform daily tasks, and even sleep.
Treating Arthritis with Physical Therapy
Physical therapy is a non-invasive, drug-free way to manage arthritis pain.
As a result, you can learn exercises and techniques that can help relieve pain and improve mobility by working with a physical therapist.
One of the most important goals of physical therapy is to improve joint flexibility and range of motion. When your joints are stiff and painful, it’s natural to avoid moving them.
Unfortunately, this can make the problem worse. So, you can actually help keep them mobile and decrease your overall pain by gently exercising the affected joints.
Additionally, another important aspect of physical therapy for arthritis is strengthening the muscles around the affected joints.
When your muscles are strong, they can better support the joint and reduce the load on it. This can help reduce pain and slow the progression of the disease.
Finally, physical therapy can help improve your overall posture and balance, which can reduce the risk of falls and other injuries.
Expectations When Treating Arthritis with Physical Therapy
If you’re considering physical therapy for your arthritis pain, you might be wondering what to expect.
Your first visit to a physical therapist will typically involve an evaluation of your condition. Furthermore, this will involve that assessment of your range of motion, strength, balance, and quality of movement patterns.
Based on this evaluation, your physical therapist will work with you to develop a personalized treatment plan. This plan may include: manual therapy, exercises, and proper mechanics training for functional activities (like walking or stairs).
Over the course of your treatment, your physical therapist will monitor your progress and make adjustments to your treatment plan as needed.
Why Choose More 4 Life for Physical Therapy for Arthritis Pain?
If you’re looking for a physical therapist, More 4 Life is the right choice. Our team of experienced physical therapists is dedicated to helping you manage your arthritis pain and improve your quality of life.
At More 4 Life, we believe in a personalized approach to physical therapy. Every person is unique, and we work closely with each individual to develop a treatment plan that meets their specific needs and goals.
Furthermore, we use evidence-based treatments and techniques that have been proven effective in managing arthritis pain and improving mobility.
Our goal is to help you live your life to the fullest, free from pain, and limitations caused by arthritis.
Request an Appointment Today
If you’re ready to take the first step towards managing your arthritis pain, we invite you to request an appointment at More 4 Life.
Our team of experienced physical therapists is ready to help you improve your mobility, reduce pain, and improve your quality of life.
To request an appointment, please give us a call at 314-941-3970. We’ll work with you to find a convenient time for your initial evaluation.