NEWSLETTER
January 2020
Independently owned and operated since 1997
Osteoarthritis Can Be A Pain Physical Therapy Can Help
As we all age, our bodies experience a certain “wear and tear” on cartilage and joints.Thiscancause inflammationandpain,knownasarthritis.According to the AmericanArthritisFoundation,Osteoarthritis isthemostcommonformofarthritis, making itself apparent in people as they age. It can certainly take a toll on one’s body, resulting in achy or painful joints after exercise, after a long day on one’s feet,orevenafterprolongedperiodsof inactivity, thuscausing joints toconstrict. The most common areas of Osteoarthritis are found in the fingers, hips, knees, and spine. These are all joints that we use excessively, even in our daily lives. Just think - by the time you lift yourself out of bed, shower, brush your teeth, eat breakfast, and prepare to begin your day, you’ve already used these joints a multitude of times. Therefore, it isn’t surprising that pain can occur in them over time. If you believe you may be experiencing Osteoarthritis, give one of our physical therapists a call today to discuss pain relief. WHY DO WE EXPERIENCE OSTEOARTHRITIS? While it is true that Osteoarthritis is most common in older folks, that is not alwaysnecessarily thecase. It ispossible thatOsteoarthritiscanpresent itself in younger adults, especially if they are prone to weak joints, poor dieting, or if they
aren’t very active. Your cartilage works hard to protect your joints by absorbing the natural shocks that your body experiences on a daily basis.Therefore, much of your likelihood regarding Osteoarthritis is dependent upon the physical and nutritional lifestyles you partake in. Joint alignment can alter and the muscles around a joint can weaken over time, causing the cartilage to shift or thin. As cartilage wears down, Osteoarthritis becomes much more common. As Osteoarthritis progresses, more symptoms can arise. The most common symptoms are: • Joint pain. • Swelling or tenderness in or around the joint(s). • Feelingstiffaftersittingor layingdownforprolongedperiodsoftime,especially when getting up in the morning. • Inflammation or flare-ups of pain in the joint(s) after use. • Crepitus– also referred to as a “cracking or crunching” feeling when moving the joint(s), or the sound of bone rubbing on bone.
Made with FlippingBook Annual report