Physical Therapy for Arthritis can help you get moving again safely and effectively. According to studies, physical therapists have licensed professionals with graduate degrees and clinical experience who examine, diagnose, treat, or help prevent conditions that limit the body’s ability to move and function in daily life (APTA).
Physical Therapy is concerned with the body’s ability to move. Movement can range from getting in and out of chairs to climbing stairs, walking around the neighborhood, participating in sports, or engaging in recreational activities.
Physical Therapy treatment for Arthritis
1. Increase or maintain joint range of motion
Osteoarthritis can cause joint stiffness. Physical Therapy can help you bend and straighten your joints. Even minor improvements in a joint’s range of motion can significantly impact joint function. For instance, Getting an arthritic knee to bend just ten more degrees may allow you to get in and out of low chairs comfortably.
2. Strengthen the Muscles that Support an Arthritic Joint
When osteoarthritis causes protective cartilage to wear away in a joint, it can cause painful friction between the joint’s bones. You can reduce friction by strengthening the muscles surrounding and supporting the joint. A skilled physical therapist can identify areas of impairment and teach you how to address these impairments with functional strengthening to improve joint strength and stability.
3. Improve Your Balance
Osteoarthritis patients frequently have impaired balance due to muscle weakness, decreased joint function, decreased mobility, and other factors. Aside from functional strengthening, skilled physical therapists may incorporate balance components into your treatment plan, such as changes in terrain/surface, walking distances, and elevation, to simulate daily functional tasks to improve balance and reduce your risk of falling.
4. Adjust Your Posture
Arthritic joints can benefit from good posture. Your physical therapist can teach you how to improve your posture and reduce joint stress as you sit, stand, and walk. This could include advice on improving your environment at home, work, and even in your car.
Simple changes, such as adjusting the position of your car seat, can reduce stress on your arthritic joint(s) and help you get through your day.
Physical Therapy for knee pain
The first visit is critical to ensure proper diagnosis and treatment if you are referred to physical Therapy for knee pain. During this visit, your physical therapist will interview you to learn about the history of your problem, aggravating and relieving factors, and any previous medical history that may have contributed to the overall situation.
A focused examination will be conducted based on the information gathered in the past. The test may include, but is not limited to, the following sections:
A gait evaluation is an assessment of how you walk. Physical therapists are trained to detect subtle movement changes around the knee during various stages of walking.
Palpation is using one’s hands to feel for abnormalities or determine whether a structure is painful to touch.
Measurements of Range of Motion: Range of motion refers to how far the knee bends or straightens. To help direct treatment, the physical therapist may use special instruments to measure how your knee moves.
Strength Measurements: Because there are numerous muscular attachments around the knee, a strength measurement can help determine whether muscular weakness or imbalance is causing your knee pain.
Assess Your Balance: If your balance is off, excessive stress and strain may be directed to your knee, causing pain.
Swelling or Girth Measurements: Swelling in the knee joint may occur after an injury. To help direct treatment, a physical therapist may measure the amount of swelling.
Special tests are specific maneuvers performed around the knee to determine which structure is at fault and causing the problem.
Physical Therapy Exercises to Help with Joint Pain
Physical therapists are experts in how the body moves and responds to injury so that they can design a customized physical therapy program tailored to your specific needs – without the risk of further injury. It frequently includes an exercise program and other treatment modalities such as hot and cold therapy, strength training, and therapeutic stretches.
The following are some common exercises that can help reduce joint pain; however, before beginning any exercise program, seek professional advice from a physical therapist.
1. Isometric exercises
Isometric exercises, which involve holding a position rather than moving through a workout, can help to strengthen a joint rather than causing it to aggravate with excessive movement.
Stand tall with your hands on your hips, shoulders back, and core muscles engaged. Take a giant step backward with one leg, landing on the ball of your foot. Lower your torso vertically downward and toward the floor while bending your knees, but not so far as to cause knee pain.
Hold for 30 seconds, or as long as you can without experiencing knee pain, once you’ve reached a comfortable depth. Return your back leg to a standing position slowly. Rep with the opposite leg.
2. 90/90 Hip Stretch
This exercise can help you improve your hip range of motion.
Sit on the floor, knees bent, and heels in front of you. For balance, place your hands behind your hips on the floor. Allow your torso to rotate toward your bent knees as you slowly lower both knees to one side of your body. Stop when both knees are as close to the floor as they will go.
Hold the position for a few seconds before repeating the opposite process. Aim for ten repetitions on each side, alternating sides.
3. Dumbbell Farmer's Walk
This is a simple exercise that can help to strengthen joints throughout the body while minimizing impact.
Holding a dumbbell (hand weight) in each hand, stand tall with your shoulders back, core muscles engaged, and hands down by your sides. Maintain a palm facing inward toward your body. Slowly walk forward for 30 seconds while imagining a string attached to the top of your head pulling you toward the ceiling.
Walk backward for 30 seconds if you don’t have any balance issues. Rest for 30 seconds before repeating.
Can physical Therapy aggravate Arthritis?
Physical Therapy seeks to improve function while alleviating arthritis symptoms. Treatment should not aggravate your symptoms or cause pain.
However, you may find some exercises difficult, especially at first. A moderate amount of muscular discomfort or soreness is average after or during a PT session.
Discuss your treatment response and pain tolerance with your physical therapist. Inform them if you experience worsening symptoms, severe pain, or difficulties during or after a session.
Your physical therapist can make the necessary changes to your treatment plan. They may employ alternative techniques or reduce the frequency and intensity of your sessions.
Exercise safety tips for people with Arthritis
Exercising has numerous benefits for Arthritis as long as it is done safely. Consult your doctor or physical therapist before beginning an exercise program for Arthritis. They can suggest appropriate exercises and modifications.
Make an effort to stretch. Warm up before each session and cool down afterward. Stretch all major muscle groups before working out, paying particular attention to joints prone to pain and stiffness.
Take your time. Begin with short workouts, work your way up gradually, and stay within your limits. Pay attention to your body, especially if you’re experiencing a flare-up, and take as many breaks as you need. Take plenty of rest days in between workouts.
Perform low-impact exercises. These activities relieve joint stress or pressure. Swimming, aquatic Therapy, and gardening are among them. Exercises to improve strength, balance, and flexibility can also be included. Activities that cause severe pain or worsen your symptoms, such as swelling, pain, or stiffness, should be avoided.
Physical Therapy for Arthritis
Physical Therapy can help you move better, reduce arthritis symptoms, and improve your overall well-being. Maintain your daily activities and exercise as much as possible for the best results.
Keep track of the most effective treatments. Check in with your physical therapist regularly to discuss your progress and any changes in your condition.
Our skilled, licensed physical therapists at Back2health are available to treat your joint pain. We provide physical therapy services in our office, including therapeutic exercises and manual Therapy.
Call us or fill out our convenient appointment request form online to learn more about our physical Therapy and orthopedic medical services. We hope to see you here soon.
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