OVERCOMING ARTHRITIS PAIN
Turning to over the counter pain medications to cope with arthritis pain is ineffective as a long-term solution. While some of the medications may provide temporary relief, they will not help you overcome the pain for good. Physical therapy, on the other hand, can provide actual relief from arthritis by helping to rebuild strength in the joints through targeted movements and flexibility exercises. There is a lot of current research trying to understand what precisely causes arthritis to develop in some people, and not in others. Everyone uses their joints every day, and while it makes sense that so much pressure would cause pain to develop over time, it doesn’t explain why the pain develops when and where it does, and why it happens to some people and not to others. Anti-inflammation and Arthritis. One leading form of arthritis treatment is with the use of anti-inflammatory medication. Certain types of arthritis develop as a result of a build-up of inflammation in the body. Specifically, the tendons and ligaments become inflamed as a result of an internal attack from the immune system, which is typically triggered by some combination of environmental factors. Avoiding certain foods and movements can reduce inflammation, and thereby reduce pain. Physical Therapy and Arthritis. Physical therapy is highly recommended for the treatment of arthritis because it can strengthen and support the joints through guided practice of movement and strength building exercises. Typically, the best activities for arthritis pain are low-impact activities. Working with a physical therapist is the best way to ensure that you are practicing the correct techniques for overcoming your discomfort. Cindy Bartek Cindy is originally from Nebraska where she graduated from the University of Nebraska –Lincoln. She has been with Johnston Physical Therapy since the beginning. She is Andrew’s wife and partner in the clinic. In the beginning, Cindy primarily took care of the book keeping while her kids were very young. As they have gotten older and the clinic has grown, she started doing more. “My favorite part is taking care of the marketing and social media for the clinics. I also love seeing our staff interact and work with the patients.” Cindy and Andrew have three kids – Josh who is a junior at Iowa State University and studying philosophy. Chloe, 16, is a junior in high school and plays the cello for the Des Moines Youth Symphony and hopes to continue with her music in college. Gabby, 13, is a 7th grader and is on a volleyball team at Ohana Volleyball Club in Grimes and loves it. Cindy notes we also have a dog, Tuco-who we swear is half human.” STAFF SPOTLIGHT
There is a long list of home remedies that are said to help with arthritis pain as well, and there is some credibility to some of these concepts. For example, losing weight, exercising regularly, and making some dietary changes such as reducing caffeine and sugar consumption are said to help alleviate pain associated with arthritis. However, before you start making any changes to your lifestyle, it is best to consult with a physical therapist. For more information about how to rid your life of arthritis pain, contact us.
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Cindy makes taking care of herself a priority. When she is not working you can find her getting some exercise or hanging out in her kitchen making dinner for family and friends. She has been practicing gymnastic strength training for several years and can do things that she never thought possible. “It is a very slow process for me but I can do a handstand and a tuck planche now – they aren’t the prettiest but I can say I can do them!”
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