Dynamic: Helping Arthritis Pain

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“Avoid The Twists &Turns Of Arthritis Pain!” HELPING ARTHRITIS PAIN

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• Patient Success Spotlight • FREE Arthritis Consultation

With osteoarthritis, there is a breakdown in the cartilage covering the ends ofboneswhichform the jointandallowmovement.Ascartilagewearsaway, thebonesbecomeexposedand rubagainsteachother.Thebreakdownof cartilage also affects the shape of the joint so that it no longer functions smoothly. In addition, the ligaments and tendons around the joint become stiff and the muscles that support the joint become weak. This leads to more painful rubbing of the joint surfaces. There are many studies and patient success stories promoting the effectiveness of physical therapy for osteoarthritis. Our expert physical therapistsatDynamicPhysicalTherapyare trained inspecializedhands-on therapy for patients suffering with osteoarthritis, obtaining fast pain relief and improved movement. In a recent study, 83 patients with osteoarthritis were divided to receive either hands-on physical therapy or a sugar pill that actually did nothing to help their pain without them knowing. The group that received hands- on therapy, had therapy to the knee, low back, hip and ankle as required. They then performed a knee exercise program in the clinic and at home. The group taking the sugar pill had just low intensity ultrasound, a form of deep heat, to the problem area. Both groups were treated at the clinic twice weekly for 4 weeks.

Tests were done to measure how well the people were doing compared to their initial visit, 4 weeks, 8 weeks and 1 year later. The results were very impressive showing the patients who had hands-on physical therapy, combined with specific exercises had significant improvements in their pain, mobility and function. By 8 weeks, patients were able to walk further and faster with much less or completely resolved pain. Their joint stiffness, aches and mobility had improvedby55%compared to theplacebogroupwhohadno treatment.At one year, patients in the treatment group still were doing great in terms of less pain and more mobility. Other benefits included less need for surgery with only 5% of patients in the treatment group having undergone surgery as compared to 20% with the placebo group. Ingeneral, ifyouaresuffering fromosteoarthritis,especiallyof theback,hip orknee,physical therapydecreases thepainandstiffnessofosteoarthritis and may delay or prevent the need for more invasive treatments, like injections or surgery. Isn’t it time you did something about your arthritis and your pains? Call us today so we can make a positive difference in your life. Look inside to learn more about our programs and say good-bye to arthritis pain! Annalsof InternalMedicine:February1,2000vol.132no.3173-181.GailD.Deyle,MPT;NancyE.Henderson, PhD,MPT;RobertL.Matekel,MPT;MichaelG.Ryder,MPT;MatthewB.Garber,MPT;andStephenC.Allison, PhD,MPT,ECS

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