Relieve Your Arthritis Pains with Physiotherapy Treatments
Are you suffering from aches, pains, and stiffness of arthritis? If so, you’re not alone. There are millions of people who live with arthritis, and it is no secret that it can limit your life. Fortunately, participating in regular physiotherapy treatments can help manage your arthritis pain and reduce your symptoms. For more information on how our services can decrease or even eliminate your pain altogether, contact Lake Country Physio today!
What will I get out of a physiotherapy program?
Physiotherapy can improve your daily life by making it easier to live with arthritis. Just a few of the many ways this is accomplished is by:
- Learning how to correctly use devices. A trained physiotherapist can help you learn how to use orthotics, walkers, and any other assistive device correctly. This will help lessen the strain on joints when you move and ensure that you are using the devices safely.
- Increasing your range of motion. A physiotherapy program can help reduce stiffness by keeping both your muscles and ligaments loose. This will lessen your pain and improve your overall range of mobility.
- Strengthening your muscles. When the muscles that surround and support your aching joints are stronger and more flexible, your arthritis pain will be much less severe. Physiotherapy techniques can be used to increase strength, which in turn will relieve pain.
What exactly is physiotherapy?
Unfortunately, there is not yet a known cure for arthritis. Physiotherapist won’t reverse your arthritic condition, but it can help slow the process and decrease symptoms. Essentially, physiotherapy can help you live more comfortably with your condition.
Your physiotherapist will prescribe targeted exercises and stretches that will keep joints mobile and pain-free. He or she may also help you maintain a healthy body weight as needed, in order to decrease unnecessary strain on your joints.
Physiotherapist may also help you avoid taking excessive amounts of medication in order to reduce your pain. A physiotherapist is trained to evaluate your condition and provide the correct exercises to meet your needs. A common physiotherapy exercise for arthritis patients is aquatic therapy, as working out in water allows for a soothing and non-impact exercise.
What can I expect from physiotherapy treatments?
Physiotherapy is a 100% safe, natural, and effective method of pain management. Your physiotherapist will be trained and licensed to handle your condition with care.
When you work with a physiotherapist to manage arthritis pain, the ultimate goals will include preserving or restoring your normal range of motion, increasing muscle strength to reduce stress on the joints, and other natural treatment options.
Here are some of the benefits of working with our physiotherapists:
- Improved posture: A physiotherapist can help you to improve your posture, which will also help to reduce stress on your joints. Sitting and standing up straight does wonders for your pain!
- Weight control: Your physiotherapist will work with you to control your weight through exercise and diet. Watching your weight prevents added stress on your joints, which is a leading cause of arthritis symptoms.
- Better sleep schedule: Your physiotherapist will also recommend setting a solid schedule for rest and sleep to complement your exercises. Resting helps the body to heal faster and decrease arthritis inflammation and pain.
- Learn new exercises and stretches: Physiotherapy treatment typically includes light exercises and stretching to help restore and increase range of motion in the affected painful areas.
The risks of arthritis medications
It is very normal for physicians to prescribe NSAID pain relief to patients with arthritis, such as Advil, ibuprofen, antibiotics, corticosteroids, or anti-rheumatic medicines. While they can provide immediate relief for pain, they all hold the risk of side effects, some of which may be very severe.
NSAIDs can increase the risk of developing a blood clot, having a stroke, or having a heart attack. Corticosteroids are not much better—they lead to elevated blood sugar levels, cataracts, and even bone loss, which is the last thing an arthritis patient wants!
What happens after I get diagnosed with arthritis?
When you first see your physiotherapist, he or she will inspect your joints for deformity and inflammation, check for signs of illness, and review your history of symptoms. They can also order blood or urine tests, x-rays, or joint fluid tests as needed.
The sooner your arthritis is caught and diagnosed, the greater chance you have of maintaining your strength and mobility later in life. Early diagnosis can prevent impairment and irreversible harm. Your physiotherapist will suggest certain workout plans, supplements, and rest.
It’s crucial that you perform your exercises safely and properly in order to prevent injury, so make sure you listen when your physiotherapist gives you tips!
The goals of a physiotherapist
Physiotherapists are trained in multiple different methods of treatment. One of the most common treatment methods for arthritis is massage, as it is a great way to loosen up the stiff or inflamed muscles and tendons around the arthritic joint(s). Additional treatments may include ice and heat therapies, ultrasound, or laser therapy as your physiotherapist deems fit. These all help in decreasing inflammation, relieving pain and loosening up tight muscles.
One of the many goals of a physi0therapist is to help you achieve the most active lifestyle possible for your condition. Just because you have arthritis doesn’t mean you can’t still enjoy the activities you love! Your physiotherapist will design an individualized treatment plan for you, in order to keep your tendons, muscles, and joints working together in harmony.
Are you ready to relieve your arthritis pains? Contact Lake Country Physio today to get started on your journey toward long-lasting relief.
Sources:
https://www.arthritis.org/about-arthritis/understanding-arthritis/what-is-arthritis.php