The CDC reports that about 23% of all adults in the US have arthritis, that’s about 54 million Americans with joint pain. While there are different types of arthritis, the most common symptoms for all types include pain, swelling, muscle soreness, and stiffness in various joints. The joint pain can be pretty uncomfortable, and a lot of people with osteoarthritis, a type of arthritis that attacks the cartilage as well as the joint as a whole, will get joint replacement surgery.
What can I do that doesn't involve drugs, shots, or surgery?
If you’re suffering from arthritis, don’t worry! There are a lot of things that you can try before resorting to surgery. The number one way to decrease pain and swelling in arthritic joints is to exercise. The CDC recommends 150 minutes of exercise a week, that’s about 20-30 minutes a day. That might seem daunting, but exercise can be broken up to smaller portions throughout the day. Not only does this amount of exercise help with arthritis symptoms, but it is also proven to reduce fatigue, improve mood, increase sleep quality, and improve quality of life. Other ways to manage arthritis include a healthy diet, maintaining a healthy weight, and avoiding activities that might cause joint damage.
Physical Therapy for Arthritis
Physical therapy is a great option for individuals with arthritis. When coming to physical therapy for arthritis the treatment might include some of the following: strengthening for muscles around the joint to aid with joint protection, improving the mobility of the affected joint, improving general fitness, and preserving the ability to perform daily activities. PT may also include manual therapy techniques and modalities as needed to manage pain, swelling, and joint stiffness.
Non-invasive Management of Arthritis Pain
At The Green Room PT, additional drug-free interventions to manage arthritis pain may include Class IV laser therapy treatment, whole-body Photobiomodulation therapy with our Theralight360, Normatec Compression therapy, and/or Custom foot orthotics. Light and laser therapy have been shown to naturally reduce pain and inflammation as well as promote healing at a cellular level. Compression therapy may help with edema and swelling associated with some cases of arthritis. Custom foot orthotics can help to align the body and unload painful joints, also helping with the compressive forces of standing and walking.
If you are concerned about arthritis, or feel you could use additional help or advice with your arthritis pain, don’t hesitate to reach out to us with any questions at thegreenroompt@outlook.com.
Copyright © The Green Room Physical Therapy All rights reserved. Located in Rensselaer / North Greenbush / Defreestville and also serving the surrounding areas of Albany, Troy, East Greenbush, Sand Lake, Wynantskill, Averill Park, Brunswick, Poestenkill, Menands, Colonie, Schodack, Nassau, and Castleton.
www.thegrpt.com
Clifton Park & Troy
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