WHY IS PHYSIOTHERAPY BETTER THAN MEDICATION?
What to expect with physiotherapy
The most common treatments for arthritis are physician- prescribed medication, usually NSAIDs, corticosteroids, or antirheumatic drugs. Unfortunately, although it is easy to pop it in your mouth, medication will cause side effects, which can be more dangerous than arthritis itself. 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: physiotherapy. A physiotherapist’s primary goal when treating arthritis is reducing stress on the joints by increasing strength, preserving or improving range of motion, and teaching balance and coordination exercises.
While many people believe that the aches and pains of arthritis are best treated with rest and avoiding any activity that hurts, this is not the case. In fact, rest and avoidance lead to more pain and disability. Exercise keeps the joints limber and the muscles strong, preventing arthritis from getting worse. Your physiotherapist will examine your symptoms, severity of pain, and location of arthritis, to determine the best-individualized treatment plan for your specific needs. Every treatment regimen is different based on your body’s needs and your particular type of arthritis. The best way to get started on a holistic, safe, and healthy treatment through physiotherapy is by calling and scheduling a consultation with one of our physiotherapists today. We will develop a comprehensive program that includes targeted manual techniques, mobility work, and strengthening to reduce inflammation and provide greater support to the joints.We will then incorporate activity-specific treatments with balance and coordination training to ensure your safe return to doing what you love!
Some benefits to working with a physiotherapist include:
• Stretching/Mobility Exercises: Restoring motion ensures the joint receives proper blood flow to keep existing cartilage healthy and strong. • Exercise. Light exercises focusing on getting the muscles around the joints stronger helps to reduce the forces through the joint and alleviate the pain simultaneously. • Proper posture. Posture work will help to reduce stress on your joints. • Weight control. Reducing/controlling your weight helps to prevent added stress on weight-bearing joints. • Proper Nutrition: Avoid processed and sugary foods that cause inflammation in your body and negatively impact your arthritis symptoms. • Sleep. Proper rest helps the body heal, improves your immune system, and helps reduce your inflammation and pain. Physiotherapy works by taking a holistic approach to reducing the pain and inflammation in your joints without medications. Treatments to improve strength, balance, and coordination have also been shown to help reduce pain and improve tolerance to daily activities. The healthier your lifestyle choices, the less wear-and-tear to your joints, thus reducing inflammation and pain.
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