Have you ever experienced pain in your lower back, knees, wrists, hips, or joints? Arthritis may be the culprit. Arthritis is a joint condition that causes discomfort, stiffness, swelling, and inflammation. 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.”
If you are dealing with joint pain or arthritis, you may appear to lean on over-the-counter medications, but this is just temporary. What you need is a healthy, natural, long-lasting relief of pain. Physical therapy will help you with this!
To learn more about how physical therapy can help with chronic joint pain, contact IMG Physical Therapy today. We’d be happy to set up an appointment to assess your condition!
Different types of arthritis
Arthritis is extremely common and can affect anybody at any age. The latest study revealed an estimated 54.4 million US adults have been diagnosed with arthritis—about 1 in 4 Americans. Of those, about 27% report experiencing severe joint pain.
There are many types of arthritis, but osteoarthritis is the most common type. When this kind occurs, the cushioning surface on the bones wears away, and bone rubs against bone. The joints can lose strength, and joint pain often becomes constant.
With inflammatory arthritis, the immune system does not function properly. It attacks the joints with inflammation, causing joint erosion and chronic pain. Infectious arthritis occurs when a virus or bacteria enters the joint. Even though antibiotics may end the infection, arthritis can become chronic.
Metabolic arthritis is due to too much uric acid in the body. It can build up and cause chronic joint pain. Psoriatic arthritis typically affects large joints, causing inflammation in the places where tendons and ligaments connect to bone.
But can’t I just get surgery?
No, not always. Surgery is not the #1 route for dealing with chronic pain! 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.”
How can physical therapy help arthritis pain?
Physical therapists are trained movement specialists who focus on improving mobility for individuals living with arthritis pain. They also know how to restore the use of affected joints, reduce pain, and strengthen muscles to support the joints.
A physical therapist will create an individualized treatment plan to improve flexibility, coordination, and strength for maximum physical function. For example, if you suffer from knee pain, the exercise regimen will include proper knee mechanics and the lower back, ankle, and hip. Physical therapists also use various manual therapy techniques like joint and soft tissue mobilization to treat the symptoms of arthritis.
Oftentimes, they will use exercise to treat arthritis pain. Strengthening exercises and weight-bearing exercises are implemented to improve joint lubrication. This helps reduce the pain associated with arthritis. Joint mobilization entails the moving of a joint through working with a natural level of resistance. This technique helps stretch and strengthen the tissue surrounding bone and reduces pain and increases range of motion.
Other passive modalities that a physical therapist may use to treat pain from arthritis include:
- Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS)
- Cryotherapy
- Heat therapy
- Ultrasound
TENS utilizes electrodes to trick the pain from feeling pain. Ultrasound utilizes heat to help the deep tissues of joints. It helps reduce inflammation and pain. Cryotherapy reduces inflammation and swelling.
All around, physical therapy is a holistic treatment for arthritis that offers true, long-lasting pain relief for those who receive it.
Call our office today to schedule an appointment
Arthritis pain can be exhausting, miserable, and crippling for those who suffer from it. There is no cure for it, but fortunately, physical therapy is a safe, natural, and non-invasive method for the pain this condition causes.
If you’re suffering from arthritis, it’s wise to consider physical therapy. Not only is it non-invasive, but you may also be able to throw away those pain meds. The goal of physical therapy is to help you live an active, pain-free life. Contact IMG Physical Therapy today!
