Arthritis pain is one of the most frustrating types of pain. It is intense, chronic pain that can interfere with just about everything that you like to do throughout the day.
A study revealed an estimated 54.4 million US adults had been diagnosed with arthritis—about 1 in 4 Americans. Of those, about 27% report experiencing severe joint pain.
You don’t have to take pain relievers to get relief from arthritic discomfort. Alternative techniques, such as physical therapy, can help relieve arthritis pain by lowering inflammation and increasing your range of motion!
At IMG Physical Therapy, our patients have experienced mass amounts of relief through our safe therapeutic healing methods. If you’re fighting day in and day out against chronic pain caused by arthritis, we’re on your side. Call us today to schedule an appointment!
The most common types of arthritis
Arthritis comes in numerous forms, but the most prevalent is osteoarthritis. Bone scrapes against bone as the cushioning on the bones wears away.
Joint pain is common, and the joints might lose their strength. The immune system becomes faulty in inflammatory arthritis. Inflammation affects the joints. Joint erosion and pain may result as a result.
When a virus or bacteria infects joints, infectious arthritis develops. Even if drugs stop the infection from spreading, arthritis might develop chronic conditions. A build-up of uric acid in the body causes metabolic arthritis. It can cause chronic joint discomfort as a result of the buildup.
Holistic approaches to arthritis pain management
There is no cure for arthritis of any kind. However, physical therapy offers a safe and effective way to manage this discomfort!
Physical therapy focuses on improving mobility for those with arthritis. It also restores affected joints, reduces pain, and strengthens muscles to support the joints. A physical therapist will create an individualized treatment plan to improve flexibility, coordination, and strength for maximum physical function.
A physical therapist will create a treatment plan that addresses the pain in all body areas. If you have knee pain, for example, the workout routine will incorporate good knee mechanics and the lower back, ankle, and hip.
To treat the symptoms of arthritis, physical therapists use a variety of manual therapy techniques such as joint and soft tissue manipulation. To enhance joint lubrication, strength-building and weight-bearing workouts are used—this aids in alleviating arthritis pain.
Joint mobilization entails moving a joint through working with a natural level of resistance. This technique helps stretch and strengthen the tissue surrounding bone, reduces pain, and increases range of motion.
Other passive modalities that a physical therapist may use to treat pain from arthritis include ultrasound, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), cryotherapy, or heat.
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, and it can save you tons of money on surgery and medication!
Should you go the surgical route?
Surgery seems to be the only option in many cases when a person is not aware of the benefits of physical therapy. If you have arthritis, it’s wise to consider physical therapy. You CAN fight back against your health problems and treat chronic pain without surgery.
Not only is it non-invasive, but you may also be able to throw away those pain meds and possibly even cancel an operation that’s already on the books. Physical therapy aims to help you live an active, pain-free life.
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.”
Plan your visit today
Arthritis pain doesn’t need to rule over your life. Pain medicine may provide temporary relief, but the side effects simply aren’t worth it. If you’re living with a chronic health condition such as osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis, give IMG Physical Therapy a call today.
