Arthritis is a common cause of joint pain that can affect people of all ages. While there is no cure for arthritis, you can learn how to manage your arthritis pain naturally with physical therapy.
Prescription pain relievers may appear to be the only option for many people living with chronic arthritis pain.
Our skilled physical therapists, on the other hand, advise performing a variety of targeted exercises to reduce inflammation, increase mobility, and relieve arthritis pain. Continue reading to find out more!
Arthritis explained
Arthritis is defined as swelling or tenderness in one or more joints of the body. The most common symptoms are joint pain and stiffness, which may worsen with age.
There are many different types of arthritis, but the two most common are rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. The cartilage that covers the ends of the bones in the joint begins to break down with osteoarthritis, resulting in recurring pain and stiffness.
Rheumatoid arthritis, on the other hand, is a chronic disease that causes the body’s immune system to attack different joints, beginning with the actual lining of the joints and gradually breaking them down.
Common symptoms of joint pain
For most people with arthritis, joint pain is the most common complaint.
But depending on the type of arthritis an individual has, they may experience a variety of different symptoms, including:
- Swelling
- Redness
- Stiffness
- Impaired range of motion
- Chronic pain
What caused my joint pain?
Have you ever noticed soft tissue pain from doing nothing? It’s strange, but it’s true. Consider the condition known as adhesive capsulitis, also known as “frozen shoulder.” If you’ve had to wear a sling for a while, this is an unpleasant condition that can render your shoulder useless for an extended period of time, resulting in joint pain.
The most common cause of joint pain and stiffness, however, is osteoarthritis. This condition can affect anyone at any age, but it is most common in older patients due to the deterioration of cartilage between bones in the joint with age.
Not only should you be on the lookout for osteoarthritis; another painful, joint condition caused by autoimmune issues is rheumatoid arthritis. If you have been living with joint pain, this could be another possibility for the cause.
Physical therapy for joint pain relief
If you have arthritis pain, our physical therapist recommends completing a few different physical therapy exercises to help ease your pain and other symptoms, such as stiffness.
Some of our favorite exercises are:
- Stretching — This simple exercise helps to improve flexibility, increase your range of motion and reduce stiffness caused by arthritis.
- Walking — Going for a walk is a great way to improve your joint health, boost your overall mood, and help with aerobic conditioning.
- Water Exercises — This is a great low-impact way to get in your physical therapy exercises and relieve joint pain.
- Hand Exercises — Rheumatoid arthritis can often result in limited use of the hands over time. By bending the wrists up and down, slowly curling your fingers, and spreading your fingers wide in a repetitive exercise cycle, you can greatly improve mobility and relieve chronic pain.
Common causes of joint pain
Because there are different types of arthritis, there is no major cause of this type of joint problem.
There are, however, certain risk factors that may increase the likelihood that you may develop arthritis in your lifetime.
Family History
Certain types of arthritis can be genetic issues that run within family lines.
If your parents or siblings have a specific type of arthritis, you are much more likely to develop it at some point in your life as well.
Weight
When you are carrying excess weight on your body, you are putting increased strain on your joints. People with obesity have a greater chance of developing arthritis, particularly in the knees, hips, and spine.
Previous Injury
If you’ve injured a joint in the past, you have an increased risk of developing arthritis in the same area later in life.
Age
The risk of developing certain types of arthritis, like osteoarthritis and gout, increases as we age.
Gender
Did you know that women are much more likely to develop rheumatoid arthritis than men? But on the other hand, men are more likely to develop gout.
Schedule your consultation today
Do you want to learn more about the advantages of physical therapy for arthritis pain?
To learn more, please contact Total Care Physical Therapy today, and be sure to schedule an initial consultation!
