What Is Arthritis?
Arthritis is a very common condition but is not well understood. More than 50 million adults and 300,000 children have some type of arthritis. It is the leading cause of disability in America. Arthritis is the swelling and tenderness of one or more of your joints. Common arthritis joint symptoms include swelling, pain, stiffness and decreased range of motion. Symptoms may come and go. They can be mild, moderate, or severe. They may stay about the same for years but can progress or even get worse over time. Severe arthritis can result in chronic pain, inability to do daily activities, and make it difficult to walk or climb stairs.
The most common types of arthritis are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Osteoarthritis causes cartilage, the hard, slippery tissue that covers the ends of bones where they form a joint, to break down. Rheumatoid arthritis is a disease in which the immune system attacks the joints, beginning with the lining of joints.
Treatments can vary depending on the type of arthritis. The main goals of arthritis treatments are to reduce symptoms and improve quality of life.
How Physical Therapy Can Help?
The pain and stiffness from arthritis can be debilitating, and there’s no cure for it. And even if you are prescribed medication, it is only short-term relief. That’s why many patients today turn to physical therapy for long-term relief.
A physical therapist can teach you:
- Exercises tailored to improve joint usage, strength and mobility
- Proper body mechanics
- Correct posture to protect the joints
- How to properly use walking aids when needed
The goals of a physical therapy treatment program are to restore lost abilities, prevent further loss of use, maintain fitness, and help you to take part in normal daily activities. Treatment for arthritis should start early for the best outcome. The key to the best outcome from physical therapy is to learn the exercises and practice every day at home. Consistency is very important in achieving long term- relief. There is no reason to let arthritis rule your life. Physical therapy will help you get back to your normal routine.
The most common types of arthritis are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Osteoarthritis causes cartilage, the hard, slippery tissue that covers the ends of bones where they form a joint, to break down. Rheumatoid arthritis is a disease in which the immune system attacks the joints, beginning with the lining of joints.
Treatments can vary depending on the type of arthritis. The main goals of arthritis treatments are to reduce symptoms and improve quality of life.