2023
THE
HEALTHY LIVING NEWSLETTER
LOOSEN UP FROM STIFF JOINTS! PHYSICAL THERAPY CAN HELP WITH ARTHRITIS PAIN
Are you experiencing pain in your groin or stiffness in your back? Do you find it painful to go up and down stairs? Are these symptoms making it difficult for you to go about your daily routine? You could be suffering from osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis, affecting nearly 30 million nationwide. OA is a degenerative joint disease often described as “wear and tear” arthritis. Repetitive movement and prior injuries also contribute to the condition. Early on, the condition most commonly is associated with stiffness and ache after prolonged rest and inactivity. As the condition advances, inflammation leads to pain and loss of motion in the joints. While arthritis can be debilitating, there’s a lot that you can do to alleviate the pain and improve your function, joint movement, muscle strength, balance, and coordination. It’s even possible to eliminate symptoms, depending on the amount of arthritis you have. Call our clinic today to make an appointment. With guidance from your physical therapist, you can find solutions to your pain and get back to living the life you enjoy! What Is Arthritis, Exactly? Osteoarthritis is also known as degenerative joint disease. The main characteristic is the loss of articular cartilage and joint
disability. It is known as the “wear and tear” form of arthritis. The breakdown of the cartilage affects the whole joint, causing inflammation, bone/joint structural changes, and bone spur formation. Primary osteoarthritis has no known cause, but almost 30–65% is thought to be genetically determined. Secondary osteoarthritis mainly comes from traumatic events. Despite the differences in the causes, the two types of osteoarthritis progress in similar directions, ultimately resulting in the loss and destruction of articular cartilage. Typical symptoms include pain, muscle weakness, joint instability, brief morning stiffness, crepitus (i.e., noises like snaps and pops), and physical inactivity. What Causes Osteoarthritis? There is increasing evidence that different risk factors are associated with osteoarthritis, including: • Obesity • Genetic predispositions • Sociodemographic characteristics (e.g., female gender, African- American race) • Specific bone/joint shapes
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