The latest study revealed an estimated 54.4 million US adults have diagnosed arthritis—about 1 in 4 Americans. Of those, about 27% report experiencing severe joint pain.
Types of Arthritis
Arthritis comes in various forms, each with unique causes and effects:
- Osteoarthritis – The most common type, where the cushioning surface on the bones wears away, causing bone-on-bone friction and chronic pain.
- Inflammatory Arthritis – The immune system mistakenly attacks the joints, causing inflammation, joint erosion, and pain.
- Infectious Arthritis – Occurs when a virus or bacteria enters the joint. Even after antibiotics clear the infection, arthritis can become chronic.
- Metabolic Arthritis – Results from excess uric acid in the body, leading to painful joint inflammation.
Physical Therapy for Arthritis
Physical therapy plays a vital role in managing arthritis symptoms. It focuses on improving mobility, reducing pain, and restoring the function of affected joints. At Jeevam Therapy, our skilled physical therapists design personalized treatment plans to help you achieve the best possible outcomes.
How Physical Therapy Helps
Physical therapy for arthritis involves a combination of exercises and manual therapy techniques that target flexibility, strength, and coordination to reduce pain and improve joint function:
- Strengthening Exercises: These exercises help improve joint lubrication and reduce pain by strengthening muscles around the joint.
- Manual Therapy: Techniques like joint and soft tissue mobilization help stretch and strengthen the tissue surrounding the joint, increasing range of motion and decreasing pain.
- Weight-Bearing Exercises: These exercises promote joint health by supporting natural movement patterns.
At Jeevam Therapy, we understand that each patient’s arthritis is unique. Our therapists will develop an individualized treatment plan tailored to your specific needs. For example, if knee pain is a concern, your plan may include exercises to improve knee mechanics as well as exercises for the hips, ankles, and lower back.
Additional Therapies
We also use various passive modalities to complement physical therapy:
- TENS (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation): This technique uses electrodes to reduce pain by interrupting pain signals.
- Ultrasound Therapy: Heat from ultrasound helps reduce inflammation and pain in deep tissues.
- Heat Therapy: Applying heat can promote relaxation and reduce joint stiffness.
Physical Therapy vs Surgery
When considering treatment options for arthritis, many patients face the decision of whether to pursue surgery. According to studies cited by Harvard Health Publishing, physical therapy is often just as effective as surgery for relieving arthritis pain and restoring function, especially in conditions like knee and back arthritis. In fact, physical therapy can help you avoid the expense, pain, and recovery time associated with surgery.
If you’re suffering from arthritis, it’s wise to consider physical therapy. Not only is it non-invasive, you may be able to throw away those pain meds. Contact Jeevam Therapy today to schedule your consultation and begin your journey to a pain-free life.
