How Can Physical Therapy Help In Treatment Of Arthritis?

Have you ever woken up in the morning with stiff joints, making it very difficult to walk in the morning? If you are nodding your head, it may be a symptom of the early onset of arthritis in your body. Many people have to deal with the same problem. But they don’t bother to seek medical intervention as they think that it is something they have to deal with for the rest of their life as they grow older. 

People who struggle with arthritis experience soreness in their joints. The pain can worsen if they are standing or sitting for an extended period. It can also become worse along with movements such as bending down on knees, etc. Arthritis can also make you experience pain at the time of your workout. In that case, you need to consult a certified physical therapist for pain relief for arthritis at Alexandria, Va.  

What Can A Physical Therapist Do For You?

An individualized exercise plan is developed in the beginning. These exercises have been designed to improve coordination, strength, flexibility, and balance. A physical therapist performs the following activities:

• Teaches you the correct posture and body mechanics for performing daily activities for pain relief and functional improvement.
• Shows you the proper ways of using assistive devices such as walkers and canes.
• They recommend various options for treatment, such as braces and splints for providing support to the joint. These also teach you to show inserts for stress relief on the lower extremities and hot and cold therapy to ease joint pain and stiffness.
• They also suggest different environmental modifications such as ergonomic chairs or cushioned mats in your kitchen for pain relief and functional improvement. 

Four Ways Physical Therapy Can Help Relieve Arthritis Pain

Following are some of the ways by which physical therapy can help relieve arthritis pain:

• Improve Your Range of Motion – Working with a physical therapist can be very beneficial for improving the range of motion that supports optimal joint functionality. 
• Targeting The Source of Joint Pain – Some situations where arthritis pain may get triggered due to various environmental factors. Work with an experienced physical therapist for pain relief for arthritis at Alexandria, Va, or others. They can help by providing insights into the causes of pain and also can help in making various adjustments to your environment that will enhance your level of discomfort.
• Improve Muscle Strength And Provide Support To Your Joints – Weakness in the surrounding muscles can cause excess stress to your joint and thus cause the joints additional pain during the standard movement attempt.
• Targeting Pain Through Specialized Treatments – Many physical therapists utilize additional forms of therapy, including hot and cold therapy, therapeutic massage, or chiropractic care for providing optimal relief for pain. It can be very beneficial for treating arthritis. 

Physical Therapy Exercises For Treatment of Arthritis

Following are some of the best physical therapy exercises for treating arthritis:

• Stretching – Stretching can help a lot in improving the flexibility of the body. It reduces stiffness and increases the range of motion. Daily stretching is essential, especially for treating rheumatoid arthritis. Stretching may consist of warming up in place or pumping up the arms while sitting for about 3 to 5 minutes, holding each stretch for about 20 seconds, and repeating the exact 2 to 3 times.
• Walking – Walking is a low-impact exercise that can help with aerobic conditioning, joint health, and mood. It is essential to stay hydrated and wear proper shoes if the walking is not strenuous. It is always advisable to walk slowly initially and gradually increase the pace.
• Pilates – Pilates is also a low-impact exercise that is very helpful in increasing flexibility for enhanced joint health. It is always beneficial to do pilates poses that can help in activating the core muscles and emphasizing movements that improve stability.
• Strength Training – Strengthening the muscles near the joint affected by arthritis can help increase strength and reduce pain. A resistance band can be used to challenge the body that would help build muscle over time. A physical therapist who works with treating arthritis would be able to guide you on suitable exercises.
• Hand Exercises – Arthritis may sometimes limit the movement of the hands. You may lose the strength in your grip or may find that they are dropping things. By bending the wrist up and down, slow curling of the fingers, spreading the fingers in the table widely, and squeezing a stress ball can help increase the strength of your wrist and improve the flexibility of your hands. 

Conclusion

Physical therapy offers lots of benefits to people with the problem of arthritis. A physical therapist would conduct a thorough physical examination of the affected area and design a range of treatments and exercises suitable for providing relief from the pain and improving flexibility. Physical therapy is considered an excellent treatment for treating arthritis because it helps restore the normal motion of your body parts.