Newsletter
Finding Relief For Your Arthritis, Without Harmful Drugs
Millions of Americans deal with the aches and pains of arthritis on a daily basis. In fact, of the 40 million people in the United States who suffer from this class of diseases, one-third say that it limits their leisure activities and daily tasks. 25% also say they are in chronic, debilitating pain on a daily basis. While there are several medications on the market that limit pain, there are none that can treat the physical issue that is occurring within your joints. Fortunately, physical therapy can. If you are looking to find relief for your arthritis by treating it at the source – without the risks of side effects from harmful drugs – contact Northern Physical Therapy today. Why is physical therapy better than medication? A common treatment for arthritis is medication, usually for pain manageability. Your physician may prescribe NSAID pain relievers, corticosteroids, antirheumatic drugs, or antibiotics for your arthritis treatment. Medication is easy - you pop it in your mouth, chase it with water, and your pain subsides shortly afterward. However, they can also cause some unfavorable side effects, and in some cases they can be habit-forming. With NSAIDs, you run the risk of blood clots, heart attack, or stroke. With corticosteroids, you run
the risk of cataracts, high blood sugar levels, and bone loss. Luckily, there is a much safer and healthier alternative to treating arthritis: physical therapy. A physical therapist’s main goal when treating arthritis is reducing stress on the joints, increasing strength, and preserving range of motion. Some benefits to working with a physical therapist include: • Stretching/exercise. Light exercises and stretching will help to increase range of motion in the affected areas. • Weight control. Your physical therapist will work with you to control your weight through exercise and diet. Controlling your weight helps to prevent added stress on weight-bearing joints. • Rest. Your therapist will also recommend a schedule for rest and sleep to complement your exercises. This helps the body to heal and will hopefully reduce your amount of arthritic inflammation and pain. • Proper posture. Posture work will help to reduce stress on your joints.
Call us today to speak with a physical therapist, or come on in for a consultation. (802) 626-4224.
www.nptvt.com
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