THE
NEWSLETTER
TAKE THE FIRST STEP IN RELIEVING YOUR ARTHRITIS PAIN
INSIDE: • 12 Steps for Relieving Arthritic Pains at Home • Exercise Essentials • Patient Success Spotlight
Did you know that arthritis is the leading cause of disability across the United States? According to the Arthritis Foundation, approximately 50million people live with arthritis. While it is possible for arthritis to develop in any joint, it most commonly affects the neck, back, hands, hips and knees. There are hundreds of different types of arthritis but the most common are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Osteoarthritis is the most common, and it happens as a gradual “wear and tear” of cartilage surrounding the joints. This can occur fromage or from 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, Advantage Rehab can help you find relief. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and find out how our services can benefit you! How can Physical Therapy Relieve my Arthritis Pain? Arthritic joints typically lose their normal levels of function and strength, due to the chronic
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 improvingmuscle 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 Advantage Rehab, you’ll be greeted by one of our licensed and dedicated physical therapists. Each of our teammembers is 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, muscle strength, and overall function, in order to pinpoint the exact 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 specializedmethods 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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