Have you recently learned that your persistent joint pain is the result of arthritis? For many, this can be a challenging discovery, as the most common forms of arthritis have no known cures. But rest assured that you do not have to spend your life living with debilitating joint pain — physical therapy can help!
Arthritis refers to several conditions that cause joint inflammation, leading to its two primary symptoms: pain and mobility restriction. The most common form of arthritis, osteoarthritis, can cause pain during movement. It’s no surprise, then, that many people with arthritis wind up avoiding physical activity.
In reality, regular physical activity is one of the best ways to manage arthritis pain. Physical activity can also help delay the progression of arthritis — and help you avoid surgery.
As movement experts, the team at Innovative Physical Therapy Solutions is well-equipped to help you manage your arthritis pain. The physical therapy approach to arthritis management focuses on drug-free pain relief and regular movement. Best of all, it allows you to take a proactive role in your treatment.
Let’s look at what happens when you exercise regularly with arthritis — and what happens when you don’t. And if you’d like to learn more, call us to schedule an appointment today!
Got Arthritis? What To Expect if You Skip Regular Exercise
Your muscles will weaken: One of the big benefits of exercise is that it builds muscle mass. If you don’t exercise regularly, your muscle mass will decrease — especially if you’re older, as muscle mass naturally decreases as we age.
What does this mean if you have arthritis? Without strong muscles, your impacted joints don’t get the strength and stability they need to function, which puts even more stress on them — and means more pain in the long run.
Your joints will get stiffer: Our bodies are made to move, and when we don’t move them frequently enough, our joints don’t get the lubrication they need to run properly. This is as true for people with arthritis as it is for anyone else. Plus, since arthritis causes joint stiffness, not moving will only worsen your symptoms.
You increase your risk of injury: When you don’t exercise, you start to lose everyday abilities like balance, stability, and coordination. You can also develop muscular imbalances, improper biomechanics, or postural issues, all of which increase your odds of suffering an injury.
What Happens When You Do Exercise with Arthritis
You’ll experience less pain: While it’s true that activity can initially worsen arthritis pain, regular exercise will decrease your pain symptoms over time.
You’ll experience fewer mobility restrictions: Just as regular exercise can decrease pain, it will also help improve your range of motion — meaning you can move more easily.
The progression of your arthritis may slow: Both osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis — the two most common forms of arthritis — will gradually worsen over time and may eventually require you to undergo surgery. Exercising won’t cure arthritis, but it will slow the damage to your joints.
You may feel more empowered: Living with a chronic condition is hard. Regular exercise can help you feel like you’re taking an active role in managing your condition and reducing your pain.
You’ll experience other physical and mental benefits: Exercise offers many benefits beyond pain management. It can improve mood and quality of sleep, protect you from heart disease and diabetes, and help you stay active and independent well into old age.
Ready to Start Exercising?
Innovative Physical Therapy Solutions Can Help!
While the benefits of regular exercise for arthritis are undeniable, getting started can be challenging. Which movements are safe for you to perform? Which will provide you with the most benefits? What should you do if even simple movement is too painful?
This is where our physical therapists shine! We’ll create a customized arthritis treatment plan that speaks to your needs and abilities. Here’s a taste of all that we can offer:
- Acute pain management using manual techniques and pain relieving modalities
- Personalized exercise programs with targeted, progressive exercises that build strength and improve mobility
- Specialized exercise programs to address balance and other functional challenges
- Guidance on general exercise programs to keep you moving outside our clinic
Don’t let arthritis keep you from living an active, healthy lifestyle.
Contact us today to find out more about our arthritis treatment programs!
Quote of the Month
“Your health account, your bank account, they’re the same thing.
The more you put in, the more you can take out.”
— Jack LaLanne
“I have been seen at Innovative Physical Therapy Solutions for a few months now and my experience there has been amazing.”
“I have been seen at Innovative Physical Therapy Solutions for a few months now and my experience there has been amazing. Ashley helped improve my symptoms I had been struggling with for a long time. I would definitely recommend Innovative Physical Therapy Solutions to ANY AND EVERYONE. The staff makes you feel very welcomed and comfortable. I fell asleep so many times because of how comfortable Ashley made me. Ashley and the other staff are very welcoming and amazing.”
— Zyan H.
“Very happy with the care I received and everyone is super nice.”
“Very happy with the care I received and everyone is super nice. I saw Ashley for my visits and she was very informative and helpful. Will choose this place again if I need to.”
—Courtney R.
“… I was at my worst. Everything was going wrong for me, but with the help from Ashley I have managed to get my body to what it used to be.”
“When I came to Innovative Physical Therapy Solutions I was at my worst. Everything was going wrong for me, but with the help from Ashley I have managed to get my body to what it used to be. Some of our exercises I have shared with my family and even they are seeing results and asking if they could also come here to receive the help that they need. To Ashley, you are a beautiful soul, keep being sweet and compassionate about your job. It was nice working with you. Thanks a lot and merry Christmas from me to you and the girls.”
— Bianca I.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
A Quick Dive
Most discussions of arthritis focus on osteoarthritis, and for good reason: it’s the most common form of arthritis in the United States. However, about 2-3% of the population develops rheumatoid arthritis (RA). It causes similar symptoms as osteoarthritis, including joint pain and limited mobility.
The good news is that physical therapy can help manage rheumatoid arthritis just as it can osteoarthritis. If you’ve recently received an RA diagnosis, schedule an appointment at Innovative Physical Therapy Solutions to learn what we can do for you.
What You Should Know About Rheumatoid Arthritis
What It Is
RA is an autoimmune condition occurring when your body’s immune system attacks otherwise healthy cells – in this case, the soft tissue in your joints. Researchers currently aren’t clear on what causes this to happen, however.
Signs and Symptoms
RA is an autoimmune condition occurring when your body’s immune system attacks otherwise healthy cells – in this case, the soft tissue in your joints. Researchers currently aren’t clear on what causes this to happen, however. RA’s symptoms tend to go through cycles of flares and remissions. This means you’ll have periods where symptoms are more intense and periods where they are less troublesome. These symptoms include:
- Pain and swelling in joints on both sides of your body
- A gradual onset of joint pain, starting with the small joints in your fingers
- Stiffness and restricted range of motion in the affected joints, particularly first thing in the morning
- Redness, warmth, and tenderness in the affected joints
- Fatigue, low-grade fever, and a general sense of feeling unwell
What Else Should I Know?
RA is more common among women than men.
As with other forms of arthritis, regular physical activity can help manage RA symptoms. In fact, physical therapy at Innovative Physical Therapy Solutions offers a great, drug-free approach to managing RA.
Want to learn more? Contact us to schedule your appointment today!
Laser therapy is a safe, effective, and non-invasive way to treat pain and aid in the recovery of many conditions. Contact Innovative Physical Therapy Solutions today! We’ll set up a free consult for you and figure out whether laser therapy could help in reducing your pain.
Innovative PT Solutions Now Provides At Home Physical Therapy with
Telehealth
Exercise of the Month
Knee Extension AROM
Start by sitting up straight on the edge of a table with your legs hanging off. Slowly extend one knee all the way until your leg is straight without letting your back round. Then, allow your knee to bend back down. Repeat with your other leg. Continue alternating as directed by your physical therapist. Perform 3 sets of 10 reps.
Healthy Recipe
Immunity-Boosting Citrus Smoothie
This smoothie is jam-packed with vitamin C and plenty of nutrients like fiber and antioxidants. Drink this to keep your immune system strong and energized all day long!
1 cup frozen mango chunks
Juice of 1 lemon
1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric
1/4 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
3/4 cup fresh squeezed orange juice
2 teaspoons fresh grated ginger
1 small raw red beet, chopped
1 cup frozen raspberries
1 blood orange or grapefruit, peeled and segmented
1/2 cup pomegranate juice
Honey to taste (optional)
In a blender, combine the mango, lemon juice, turmeric, cayenne, ginger, and orange juice. Blend until completely smooth, adding more honey if needed to sweeten. Pour into a tall glass. Rinse the blender out. Combine the beets, raspberries, orange, and pomegranate juice. Blend until smooth and creamy, adding more pomegranate juice if needed to reach your desired consistency. Pour over the mango mixture and stir gently to swirl.
Let’s Get You Better ASAP!
Don’t let pain dictate your life. Take the first step towards reclaiming your mobility and well-being with our expert support. Start your journey to a healthier you today.
Contact us today for your free consultation, or forward this newsletter to a friend in need. They will thank you for it.
