03 Jan Knee Arthritis? Get Moving!

By: Dr. Ian Carroll 

The knee is one of the most common joints affected by osteoarthritis. Symptoms of arthritis include pain, stiffness, popping/creaking in the knees, weakness, and swelling. Because of these symptoms, many people suffering from arthritis decide to avoid activity because they don’t want to irritate their knees. While rest, ice and avoiding painful activities can help control pain, there is another major factor that can help improve the pain and function of your knees if suffering from osteoarthritis: EXERCISE!

The American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons (AAOS) recommends exercise and patient education at the top of the list for arthritis treatment. Exercise helps to increase the strength of muscles around your knees, reduce pain, and improve the range of motion of your joints. While low-impact exercises such as walking, biking, or aquatic exercises can be beneficial, strength training is crucial to increasing the overall function for those dealing with arthritis.

Working with a physical therapist is also a great way to improve your symptoms. A PT can help you find the right mix and structure of exercises to build a program that helps suit your needs and gets you back to your normal activities without pain. A physical therapist can provide range of motion and strengthening exercises, manual therapy interventions, home exercises programs and activity modifications designed to reduce stress on your knees and improve your overall functional levels. Here at Body One, we offer both physical therapy and personal training services by our skilled physical therapist and strength and conditioning specialists.

Body One has three convenient Indianapolis locations and a team of caring, experienced providers to help you address your arthritis or other concerns. Visit our Fishers, North Meridian, or Zionsville clinic to get PT and get better!