Health & Wellness Newsletter: Take a Proactive Approach to Arthritis Pain with Physical Therapy by Highland Physical Therapy
HEALTH & WELLNESS The Newsletter About Your Health and Caring for Your Body
Highland Physical Therapy
Have you recently learned that your persistent joint pain is the result of arthritis? For many, this can be a challenging discovery, as the most common forms of arthritis have no known cures. But rest assured that you do not have to spend your life living with debilitating joint pain — physical therapy can help! TAKE A PROACTIVE APPROACH TO ARTHRITIS PAIN WITH PHYSICAL THERAPY
Got Arthritis? What To Expect if You Skip Regular Exercise • Your muscles will weaken: One of the big benefits of exercise is that it builds muscle mass. If you don’t exercise regularly, your muscle mass will decrease — especially if you’re older, as muscle mass naturally decreases as we age. What does this mean if you have arthritis? Without strong muscles, your impacted joints don’t get the strength and stability they need to function, which puts even more stress on them — and means more pain in the long run. • Your joints will get stiffer: Our bodies are made to move, and when we don’t move them frequently enough, our joints don’t get the lubrication they need to run properly. This is as true for people with arthritis as it is for anyone else. Plus, since arthritis causes joint stiffness, not moving will only worsen your symptoms.
Arthritis refers to several conditions that cause joint inflammation, leading to its two primary symptoms: pain and mobility restriction. The most common form of arthritis, osteoarthritis, can cause pain during movement. It’s no surprise, then, that many people with arthritis wind up avoiding physical activity. In reality, regular physical activity is one of the best ways to manage arthritis pain. Physical activity can also help delay the progression of arthritis — and help you avoid surgery. As movement experts, the team at Highland Physical Therapy is well-equipped to help you manage your arthritis pain. The physical therapy approach to arthritis management focuses on drug-free pain relief and regular movement. Best of all, it allows you to take a proactive role in your treatment. Let’s look at what happens when you exercise regularly with arthritis — and what happens when you don’t. And if you’d like to learn more, call us to schedule an appointment today!
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Call 845.813.0550 today!
SCHEDULE A CONSULTATION TODAY TO GET RID OF YOUR PAIN!
TAKE A PROACTIVE APPROACH TO ARTHRITIS PAIN WITH PHYSICAL THERAPY
Highland Physical Therapy
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Which will provide you with the most benefits? What should you do if even simple movement is too painful? This is where our physical therapists shine! We’ll create a customized arthritis treatment plan that speaks to your needs and abilities. Here’s a taste of all that we can offer: • Acute pain management using manual techniques and pain relieving modalities • Personalized exercise programs with targeted, progressive exercises that build strength and improve mobility • Specialized exercise programs t o address balance and other functional challenges • Guidance on general exercise programs to keep you moving outside our clinic Don’t let arthritis keep you from living an active, healthy lifestyle. Contact us today to find out more about our arthritis treatment programs!
• You increase your risk of injury: When you don’t exercise, you start to lose everyday abilities like balance, stability, and coordination. You can also develop muscular imbalances, improper biomechanics, or postural issues, all of which increase your odds of suffering an injury. What Happens When You Do Exercise with Arthritis • You’ll experience less pain: While it’s true that activity can initially worsen arthritis pain, regular exercise will decrease your pain symptoms over time. • You’ll experience fewer mobility restrictions: Just as regular exercise can decrease pain, it will also help improve your range of motion — meaning you can move more easily. • The progression of your arthritis may slow: Both osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis — the two most common forms of arthritis — will gradually worsen over time and may eventually require you to undergo surgery. Exercising won’t cure arthritis, but it will slow the damage to your joints. • You may feel more empowered: Living with a chronic condition is hard. Regular exercise can help you feel like you’re taking an active role in managing your condition and reducing your pain. • You’ll experience other physical and mental benefits: Exercise offers many benefits beyond pain management. It can improve mood and quality of sleep, protect you from heart disease and diabetes, and help you stay active and independent well into old age. Ready to Start Exercising? Highland Physical Therapy Can Help! While the benefits of regular exercise for arthritis are undeniable, getting started can be challenging. Which movements are safe for you to perform?
845.813.0550
EXERCISE ESSENTIALS Knee Extension AROM Start by sitting up straight on the edge of a table with your legs hanging off. Slowly extend one knee all the way until your leg is straight without letting your back round. Then, allow your knee to bend back down. Repeat with your other leg. Continue alternating as directed by your physical therapist. Perform 3 sets of 10 reps.
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RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS
PATIENT SUCCESS STORY “I recently had a major surgery following an accident. I cannot express how happy and relieved I am as I approach my 6th physical therapy session with Highland Physical Therapy. Jeff Gersch Is amazing. When I came in 3 weeks after surgery I was crying in pain and very uncomfortable. Needless to say, 3 days ago I stopped taking the “Opioid” pills completely!!! I couldn’t stand the side effects and I cannot take any over- the-counter anti-inflammatories because I have a blood clot. Jeff is bringing me to levels that I couldn’t dream of before I came in. Thank you Jeff and staff!” — Andrew S.
Most discussions of arthritis focus on osteoarthritis, and for good reason: it’s the most common form of arthritis in the United States. However, about 2-3% of the population develops rheumatoid arthritis (RA). It causes similar symptoms as osteoarthritis, including joint pain and limited mobility. The good news is that physical therapy can help manage rheumatoid arthritis just as it can osteoarthritis. If you’ve recently received an RA diagnosis, schedule an appointment at Highland Physical Therapy to learn what we can do for you. What You Should Know About Rheumatoid Arthritis What It Is — RA is an autoimmune condition occurring when your body’s immune system attacks otherwise healthy cells – in this case, the soft tissue in your joints. Researchers currently aren’t clear on what causes this to happen, however. Signs and Symptoms — RA is an autoimmune condition occurring when your body’s immune system attacks otherwise healthy cells – in this case, the soft tissue in your joints. Researchers currently aren’t clear on what causes this to happen, however.RA’s symptoms tend to go through cycles of flares and remissions. This means you’ll have periods where symptoms are more intense and periods where they are less troublesome. These symptoms include: • Pain and swelling in joints on both sides of your body • A gradual onset of joint pain, starting with the small joints in your fingers • Stiffness and restricted range of motion in the affected joints, particularly first thing in the morning • Redness, warmth, and tenderness in the affected joints • Fatigue, low-grade fever, and a general sense of feelin g unwell What Else Should I Know? — RA is more common among women than men. As with other forms of arthritis, regular physical activity can help manage RA symptoms. In fact, physical therapy at Highland Physical Therapy offers a great, drug-free approach to managing RA. Want to learn more? Contact us to schedule your appointment today!
HIGHLAND Click on one of the links below or scan the QR code to visit our review page and share your success story with others. Help Us Help Others! MARLBORO By sharing your physical therapy success story, you can inspire others to find relief from their pain and start living a healthier, stronger, and more active life.
Are You In PAIN? You may benefit from physical therapy if you suffer from:
• Lower Back Pain • Arthritis • Sciatica
• Shoulder Pain • Knee Pain • Problems Walking • Dizziness • Sports Injury
• Neck Pain • Headaches
We can get you out of pain and back to the things you love! 845.813.0550
Feel Better by Eating Better!
ANTI-INFLAMMATORY GINGER & TURMERIC CARROT SOUP
This delicious ginger and turmeric carrot soup is as comforting as it is healing. Packed with strong flavors like garlic, fennel, and ginger, and full of anti-inflammatory ingredients, this is the perfect winter soup.
INGREDIENTS • 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 tablespoon grated ginger (about a 2-inch piece) • 1 tablespoon turmeric powder • Salt & pepper to taste • 3 cups low-sodium vegetable broth • 1 can lite coconut milk (14.5 ounces)
• 1 leek, cleaned and sliced • 1 cup chopped fennel bulb (1 small head) • 3 cups chopped carrots • 1 cup chopped butternut squash (or more carrots) • 2 garlic cloves, minced
DIRECTIONS: Heat the olive oil in a large dutch oven or saucepan. Add the fennel, leeks, carrots, and squash. Sauté for 3-5 minutes until the veggies start to soften. Add the garlic, ginger, turmeric, salt, and pepper, and sauté for a few more minutes. Add the broth and coconut milk. Bring the mixture to a boil, cover, and simmer for 20 minutes. Once the soup is cooked, add it to a blender and blend until creamy. You could also use an immersion blender. Taste and adjust the seasonings to your taste. Serve immediately with a dollop of coconut yogurt and enjoy! https://www.simplyquinoa.com/anti-inflammatory-ginger-turmeric-carrot-soup
New York - 2 Locations 280 State Route 299, Suite 1 Highland, New York 12528 HPT - South 1508 Route 9W, Suite 1 Marlboro, New York 12542 845.813.0550 DIRECT ACCESS You No Longer Need a Referral for Physical Therapy! Come See Us and Take Hold of a Changed Life, Today!
Highland Physical Therapy
FREE SCREENINGS!
At our Marlboro location with our highly trained Physical Therapist, and owner of the practice Jeff Gersch! Request Your Free Screening Today! Call 845.813.0550
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