Is Arthritis Pain Slowing You Down?
If you suffer from arthritis pain, then you’re already aware of the difficulties this disease causes with moving and functioning in daily life. What you might not be aware of, however, is that physical therapy can help you find relief from your arthritis pain, and with our in-home services, you can do so all from the comfort of your own home!
Unfortunately, there is no cure for arthritis, but by using the exercises and techniques that your in-home physical therapist can teach you, the progression of arthritis can be slowed and you’ll be able to preserve a higher quality of life in the long-term.
You have the choice for a safer, more effective path toward arthritis pain management, so why not choose it? Call our office today to schedule your physical therapy appointment in the convenience of your home.
Types of arthritis
Arthritis can be a sneaky disease and can manifest in many different ways. For some individuals, arthritis may take the form of painful gout in a toe joint; in others, it can be the unfortunate result of a bacterial joint infection.
The majority of arthritis sufferers, however, suffer from one of two conditions, as listed below:
- Rheumatoid arthritis – This form of arthritis is caused by an auto-immune disease or dysfunction. The same protective mechanisms that normally fight off disease germs decide to turn on your joints, treating them as the enemy and attacking them. This results in painful inflammation that may come and go, leaving joint swelling and deformity in its wake.
- Osteoarthritis – This is the most common form of arthritis. It is usually a natural consequence of a lifetime of joint motion, coupled with certain changes that take place during aging. Healthy joints contain both a lubricating fluid to keep the bone ends moving smoothly, and a layer of cartilage that acts as a shock absorber and anti-friction component. Over time, however, the production of lubricating fluid can start to dry up, while the cartilage becomes thinner and more worn until it finally breaks down completely. This leaves you with pain, stiffness, and inflammation that usually feels worse whenever you try to move or put weight on the joint.
What will physical therapy do for my arthritis pain?
In order to help your in-home physical therapist to provide you with the best advice, guidance, and treatment possible, it’s important to think carefully about different physical goals that you might have. For example, you might want to be able to do a job without straining your hips or knees. Maybe you really want to be able to reach items high up on a kitchen shelf, or to simply get in and out of your car without groaning in pain.
Expressing these goals to your therapist as early as possible will aid in ensuring that your treatments are as specific to your goals as they can be. Your physical therapy sessions may or may not need to be done every week. Eventually, your therapist may only want to see you once every few weeks to monitor your condition and progress.
Physical therapy visits are often short in duration. Your therapist will be focused on determining which problems with your physical function are related to arthritis, and teaching you methods you can do alone to relieve pain.
The way to actually achieve pain relief from your arthritis is to keep up with the teachings for the long term! Physical therapy progress doesn’t happen overnight; the improvement will be gradual, so it’s important that you follow your physical therapist’s instructions.
How can I benefit from in-home physical therapy?
Arthritis attacks your joints, so the goal of physical therapy will be to restore the use of those joints and improve your ability to move around and engage in daily activities.
This restoration will be achieved through a combination of exercises to strengthen and support the various structures around the joints. You’ll also be taught how to move and engage in activities without worsening your symptoms. The exact course of treatment that your physical therapist will prescribe for you will depend on how advanced your arthritis is and which parts of the body are impacted.
The physical exercises your therapist will teach you will be directed toward improving your mobility, range of motion, flexibility, and coordination. Your plan may include any combination of the following:
- Assistive devices: Sometimes arthritis in the hip or knee will require the use of assistive mobility devices, such as a cane or walker. Your physical therapist will teach you the proper way to use these devices.
- Environmental adjustments: Your physical therapist can make specific recommendations for additional therapeutic aids based on your type of arthritis. These can include ergonomic furniture (such as a standing desk for work) or cushioned mats in areas of your home.
- Different modalities: Modern physical therapy has a broad range of treatment options available to assist with arthritis pain. Hot and cold therapy can relieve the pain and stiffness in joints; braces or splints can help to stabilize and support arthritic joints; shoe inserts can relieve arthritis pain in the lower extremities. The list goes on and on!
- Improving posture: Your therapist will teach you various body mechanic techniques that will improve your posture and joint function, and reduce your overall pain levels. You will also be taught ways to use your strongest muscles and joints to relieve pressure on arthritic joints.
Contact our clinic today
Living with arthritis pain can take a serious toll on your mood, mental health, and overall quality of life. The good news? You don’t have to continue living this way. If you are ready for relief from arthritis pain, call our office to schedule your first at-home appointment with a physical therapist!
