Have you been dealing with the aches and pains of arthritis? Are you tired of taking medication to get relief? We can give you solutions that work without nasty side effects! At IMG Physical Therapy, our physical therapists take a holistic approach to resolving your arthritis pain.
Approximately 40 million people in the United States suffer from arthritis, and one-third say it limits their leisure activities and daily tasks. Around 25% of these individuals also say they are in chronic, debilitating pain daily.
While there are several medications on the market that limit pain, none can treat the physical issue that is occurring within your joints. Fortunately, physical therapy can give you solutions that reduce your pain and improve your function without side effects!
If you are looking to find relief for your arthritis, we can help! Start by treating it at the source; contact IMG Physical Therapy today!
Why is Physical Therapy Better Than Medication?
The most common treatments for arthritis are physician-prescribed medications, usually NSAIDs, corticosteroids, or antirheumatic drugs. Unfortunately, although it is easy to pop it in your mouth, medication will cause side effects, which can be more dangerous than arthritis itself.
With NSAIDs, you run the risk of blood clots, heart attack, or stroke. With corticosteroids, you run the risk of cataracts, high blood sugar levels, and bone loss. Luckily, there is a much safer and healthier alternative to treating arthritis: physical therapy.
A physical therapist’s primary goal when treating arthritis is reducing stress on the joints by increasing strength, preserving or improving range of motion, and teaching balance and coordination exercises.
Some benefits of working with a physical therapist include:
Stretching/Mobility Exercises
- Restoring motion ensures the joint receives proper blood flow to keep existing cartilage healthy and strong.
Exercise
- Light exercises focusing on getting the muscles around the joints stronger help to reduce the forces through the joint and alleviate the pain simultaneously.
Proper Posture
- Posture work will help to reduce stress on your joints.
Weight control
- Reducing/controlling your weight helps to prevent added stress on weight-bearing joints.
Proper Nutrition
- Avoid processed and sugary foods that cause inflammation in your body and negatively impact your arthritis symptoms.
Sleep
- Proper rest helps the body heal, improves your immune system, and helps reduce your inflammation and pain.
Physical therapy works by taking a holistic approach to reducing the pain and inflammation in your joints without medications. Treatments to improve strength, balance, and coordination have also been shown to help reduce pain and improve tolerance to daily activities.
The healthier your lifestyle choices, the less wear-and-tear to your joints, thus reducing inflammation and pain.
What to Expect from Physical Therapy
While many people believe that the aches and pains of arthritis are best treated with rest and avoiding any activity that hurts, this is not the case. In fact, rest and avoidance lead to more pain and disability. Exercise keeps the joints limber and the muscles strong, preventing arthritis from getting worse.
Your physical therapist will examine your symptoms, severity of pain, and the location of arthritis, to determine the best individualized treatment plan for your specific needs.
Every treatment regimen is different based on your body’s needs and your particular type of arthritis. The best way to get started on a holistic, safe, and healthy treatment through physical therapy is by calling and scheduling a consultation with one of our physical therapists today.
We will develop a comprehensive program that includes targeted manual techniques, mobility work, and strengthening to reduce inflammation and provide greater support to the joints. We will then incorporate activity-specific treatments with balance and coordination training to ensure your safe return to doing what you love!
Get Started Today!
If you are living with arthritis, or you think you may be experiencing arthritic symptoms, don’t hesitate to contact IMG Physical Therapy today.
Pain and inflammation relief is possible with the help of physical therapy. We’ll get you feeling comfortable again in no time — without the need for pain management drugs!
Hello and Happy Holidays to all.
It is hard to believe that 2024 is nearing an end. So much has changed in such a “short” time. As I get more experienced (nice term for older) time feels like it gets shorter. Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. Those who know me are well aware of this statement. Thanksgiving is now everything Christmas is supposed to be. Time with family. A big feast (food and drink). Thankful for all the blessings. Football (No Ravens or Eagles this year on Thursday, but feel free to watch the Eagles play in Baltimore that Sunday). No stress about did I buy the right presents for so and so. Finally, in my family…Poker!!!
I mentioned earlier about being older and the end of the year. Don’t forget about the deductibles resetting in January. If you have that little ache and pain, don’t ignore it and let it become a big ache or pain in 2025. What is the most common reason for aches and pains for those over the age of 50? You guessed it…Arthritis.
Arthritis is simply wear and tear of your joints. The cartilage starts to shed and leaves your bones exposed. This can lead to pain and swelling. This isn’t a single event; and often can be the result of an old injury and following abuse on that particular body part. Why do I mention this? Because arthritis is not a death sentence. If 3 months ago you were pain free and all of a sudden the pain started, we could probably help. If you have had 10 years of arthritic pain, then we may need a little help from some friends. We cannot “cure” arthritis. But what we can do is strengthen up the areas around the painful joint to help decrease the load on the joint itself. Often that can help to turn back time. I have very arthritic knees and probably shoulder and back too. The laser has been a huge blessing. You think we bought it for our patients? Yes we did; however, we all like the benefits as well.
We wish you and your family a Happy Thanksgiving and lots of turkey. I believe Eric will be setting the trains up by the end of the month, even if it is a smaller display because of our need for space. Please feel free to come in to see the display.
As always, our staff / family here at IMGPT wishes you and your family a Happy, Safe, and most importantly Healthy Holiday Season and an amazing 2025!!!
Patient Spotlight
“I was diagnosed with arthritis of the lumbar spine. When I arrived for physical therapy I couldn’t bend, stretch, stand very long and wasn’t able to take my walks without feeling pain. I had to be careful with doing any activities like cleaning, doing wash, getting in and out of the car. Now, I’m 100% back to normal, no pain at all when doing everything I could do before. I feel great and I owe it all to the therapy and exercises and the PTs were great and so were the girls helping me with my exercises.”
—Carol E.
And Help Our Office Reach Our Review Goal!
Help us reach our Google Review goal! Your opinion and feedback matters to us and we always love to hear from patients. The physical therapists have challenged the IMG staff to achieve 150 reviews and then they will treat us to a dinner. Help us reach that with this link to the Google review page.
Help Us Help Others
Your review not only helps us, it helps others in the community. Your review might just be the one that convinces someone to seek the help they need. Be the spark that changes someone’s life — leave us a review today.
Exercise of the Month
Midline Stability March
Start by lying on your back and raising both your knees to a 90-degree angle at your hip and knee. Slowly lower one heel to the ground, keeping your knee angle. Once your heel hits the ground, raise your leg back up while simultaneously lowering your other in the same manner. 3 sets, 10 reps.
Meet Our Team
Let’s Get You Better ASAP!
Don’t let pain dictate your life. Take the first step towards reclaiming your mobility and well-being with our expert support. Start your journey to a healthier you today.
