If you are suffering from pain in your lower back, hands, knees, hips, or joints, you might be dealing with arthritis and not even know it. According to the CDC “In the United States, 23% of all adults—over 54 million people—have arthritis. About 24 million adults are limited in their activities from arthritis, and more than 1 in 4 adults with arthritis report severe joint pain.”
This disease is a joint disorder that causes pain, swelling, stiffness, and inflammation. Many people dealing with arthritis experience a loss of movement or a decrease in their range of motion because their joints are just too swollen for them to move.
If you’re dealing with joint pain or have been diagnosed with arthritis already, you may be leaning on over-the-counter medications to alleviate your pain symptoms. You should know, however, that this is temporary pain relief! Physical therapy can provide you with a long-term solution — without the use of pain meds. Call our clinic today to learn more about physical therapy services.
How is arthritis diagnosed?
The earlier your arthritis is caught and diagnosed, the better chance you have of keeping your strength and mobility later in life. Early diagnosis can prevent disability and irreversible damage. A physical therapist is not a physician, however, they can spot the signs and symptoms of arthritis!
When you visit your physical therapist for the first time, he or she will examine your joints for deformity and inflammation, look for signs of disease and review your history of symptoms. They might also order blood or urine tests, x-rays, or joint fluid tests.
Your physical therapist will recommend exercise routines, medications, and rest. It’s important that you do the proper, safe exercises to avoid injury, so make sure you listen up when your physical therapist is giving you tips!
What kinds of arthritis are there?
Arthritis is the most common chronic illness in the nation. According to Arthritis.org, “More than 50 million adults and 300,000 children have some type of arthritis. It is most common among women and occurs more frequently as people get older.” This is most likely why there is a misconception that arthritis only affects the elderly.
Did you know that there are over 100 types of arthritis? Below is a list of some of the most common ones and what part of the body they affect the most.
- Psoriatic arthritis. Psoriatic arthritis typically affects large joints, causing inflammation in the places where tendons and ligaments connect to bone.
- Osteoarthritis. This condition occurs due to wear and tear of the cartilage. It typically affects the spine, hands, knees, and hips.
- Rheumatoid arthritis. This results from an overactive immune system. It affects the hands, feet, elbows, wrists, knees, and ankles.
- Gout. Many people don’t even realize this is a kind of arthritis! This condition is extremely painful and occurs when there is an increased level of uric acid in your bloodstream.
Arthritic pain can seriously interrupt a person’s routine, quality of life, and overall mobility. Arthritis can render people unable to work, and many suffering from it are forced to go on disability.
Physical therapy for arthritic pain has been proven by research to be highly effective. If you suffer from arthritic pain be sure to call us to schedule an appointment with one of our skilled physical therapists.
Physical therapists can treat arthritis pain
Physical therapists are trained movement specialists who know how to handle arthritis cases. Physical therapy is all about engaging in physical activity and exercise to improve your overall health. Getting regular physical activity is essential to achieving the maximum levels of both physical and mental health, and it is critical for the management of arthritis.
A physical therapist will create a treatment program that addresses all areas of the body. For example, if you suffer from arthritis pain in the knee an exercise program will address the lower back, hip, and ankle, in addition to the knee. This is because all of these areas contribute to proper knee control. Proper lifting and squatting techniques may also be a part of the treatment plan as well as carrying heavy objects the right way so you can learn how to reduce unnecessary strain on your back.
Physical therapy might also include manual therapy with soft tissue mobilization, deep tissue massage, TENS, ice packs, and heat therapy. All of these treatments are passive modalities that reduce inflammation, increase blood circulation, reduce pain and enhance mobility and range of motion.
Ready to be free of arthritis pain? Call our clinic!
If you’re dealing with arthritis pain, you already know firsthand how it can be exhausting, miserable, and debilitating it can be. There is still no cure for it either, however, thankfully we have physical therapy as an option. It’s a natural, non-invasive method for arthritis pain that you really should take advantage of if you’re looking for long-lasting relief!
If you’re suffering from arthritis pain, be sure to schedule an appointment with one of our certified physical therapists. We are 100% committed to your success. Our research-driven treatments will help you get fast pain relief, and get your life back on track!
