Health & Wellness The Newsletter About Your Health And Caring For Your Body
FIND RELIEF FROM ARTHRITIS PAIN
Inside: • 12 Steps for Relieving Arthritic Pains at Home • Exercise Essentials • Patient Success Spotlight • Sweet & Sour Cauliflower Recipe
Did you know that arthritis is the leading cause of disability across the United States? According to theArthritisFoundation,approximately50millionpeople livewitharthritis.While it ispossible forarthritis todevelop inany joint, itmost commonly affects the neck, back, hands, hips and knees. There are hundreds of different types of arthritis but the most common are osteoarthritisandrheumatoidarthritis.Osteoarthritis isthemostcommon,and ithappensasagradual “wearand tear”ofcartilagesurrounding the joints.This can occur from age or from excessive, repetitive use of the affected joint(s). When cartilage is worn down, it can no longer act as a strong cushion and shock absorber for the joints, resulting in bone-to-bone friction and painful inflammation. Rheumatoid arthritis is a bit different from osteoarthritis and it is not as well understood. It is the second most commonly experienced form of arthritis, and it develops as an autoimmune response. When someone has rheumatoid arthritis, their immune system sees the joints as a threat. Because of this, the immune system attacks the joints, resulting in pain and inflammation. While research is still being done in order to better understand rheumatoid arthritis, many experts believe that your hormones, medical history, and environment could all be contributing factors. Whatever may be causing your arthritis pain, Total Care Physical Therapy can help you find relief. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and find out how our services can benefit you!
HowcanPhysicalTherapyRelievemy Arthritis Pain? Arthritic joints typically losetheirnormal levelsoffunctionandstrength,duetothechronic inflammation they are experiencing. However, one of the primary goals of physical therapy is to regain as much function as possible in the affected area(s) of the body. By restoring normal joint movement and improving muscle strength, the amount of excessive pressure on the joint can be relieved. Reducing the pressure on the affected joint decreases inflammation and helps relieve pain by improving mobility. When you arrive for your initial consultation at Total Care Physical Therapy, you’ll be greeted by one of our licensed and dedicated physical therapists. Each of our team members are movement experts with years of medical training, equipped in helping patients relieve the stiffness, achiness, and pain associated with arthritis. Your physical therapist will conduct a physical evaluation to analyze your joint movement,musclestrength,andoverallfunction, inorder topinpoint theexact areas that are causing you pain. You will then be prescribed a personalized treatment plan, focused around your specific needs. Treatment plans will include targeted stretches and exercises aimed at relieving your pain and improving your function, in addition to any specialized methods your physical therapist deems fit.This may include manual therapy, ice and heat therapies, electrical stimulation, or ultrasound. Your physical therapist may also include additional services as needed, such as weight management techniques to help ease some stress on your joints, and/or posture improvement to relieve stiffness and prevent injury.
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