03 Oct How to Handle Your Arthritis
If you’re one of the millions of people affected by arthritis, you probably already know the aching, burning, even sharp pain and/or stiffness that comes with it. Arthritis has several causes, and no matter what led to yours it’s likely a source of discomfort and frustration. We share what arthritis is, the causes, and how physical therapy can be a great way to deal with the condition.
Arthritis is…
Arthritis is swelling, irritation, and soreness of a joint. The most common form of arthritis is osteoarthritis and is typically the degenerative condition of a joint.
It’s caused by…
Some people can be prone to arthritis due to their build or genes. Others face arthritis as the result of some previous injury to the joint which causes problems over time. Age often plays a role, with people developing arthritis as they age in some common areas. While sometimes people may have asymptomatic arthritic changes, other people notice more severe symptoms of joint pain and stiffness as they get older.
Physical Therapy Can Help…
Perhaps one of the most important ways that PT can help arthritis symptoms is by improving movement and strengthening surrounding areas. The more restricted a joint is, the more daily movement will cause pain and discomfort. Your physical therapist is an expert in the musculoskeletal system, who will likely utilize both manual (hands-on) therapy to improve your range-of-motion, as well as a custom exercise program to help you improve at home. By also strengthening the muscles, tendons, and ligaments around the joint, you’ll also help to support the joint so your movement is more balanced.
PT Can Also…
For many people with arthritis, giving up an active life isn’t an option. Physical therapy can help you improve movement, strength, and also educate you on what activities might be best for you, as well as how you can modify your activities to best protect your arthritic joint/s and ensure you’re not doing further damage.
Other Non-Invasive Treatment Includes:
Other non-invasive treatment includes things like taking OTC anti-inflammatory medication, using heat/cold to reduce discomfort, wraps/braces depending on the area affected, and resting after overdoing activity.
Do you have arthritis and feel limited by your movement and/or discomfort? Body One Physical Therapy is ready to help. We have three locations serving Central Indiana: North Indianapolis, Fishers, and Zionsville. Our team of caring, dedicated providers works with clients of all ages and activity levels and we’d love to get you on our roster. Don’t wait another day, call Body One for your first visit and your first step to feeling better!
