Rid Yourself of Arthritic Aches and Pains with PT Treatments
Physical therapy is extremely beneficial for arthritis sufferers, as it not only relieves pain but also decreases the risk of sustaining an arthritis-related injury.
Do you experience stiff and achy joints when you wake up in the morning? Does that pain seem to disappear as you move throughout the day? Are your joints sensitive and painful to the touch? Do you hear “popping” or “clicking” sounds when moving the affected joint(s)? If you can relate to these issues, you may be living with arthritis.
Millions of Americans are diagnosed with arthritis, and it is an extremely common condition to develop. Many people wait until their arthritis becomes severe before seeking the help of a physical therapist. Blue Ridge Physical Therapy can help you before it reaches that point!
Contact our Johnson City, TN physical therapy office today at (423) 262-0020. Or, click here to request an appointment and discuss how our treatment plans can help manage your arthritic pains, once and for all.
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How will physical therapy help my arthritis?
Physical therapy can benefit anyone who is suffering from the aches and pains of arthritis. At your initial appointment, you will undergo a physical evaluation to determine the best course of treatment for your needs. Treatment plans will be dependent upon the severity of your conditions and any health risks you may have.
At Blue Ridge Physical Therapy, we are dedicated to providing you with the best quality of treatment. We design individualized treatment plans for the specific recovery goals of each patient. Treatment plans could include targeted techniques aimed at relieving your arthritis symptoms and restoring your joint function.
These may include any combination of exercises, stretches, ice and heat therapies, manual therapy, ultrasound, or weight management techniques as our physical therapist deems fit.
Do you have arthritic symptoms?
The Arthritis Foundation states that approximately 50 million people live with arthritis. As the leading cause of disability across the U.S., it is important to understand the symptoms associated with it.
Osteoarthritis wears down the joints. This can be due to the natural deterioration of age, or from repetitive overuse as mentioned earlier. When this happens, the cartilage within the joints no longer acts as a cushion and shock absorber, resulting in the bones rubbing together. This causes mild to severe pain, in addition to tight and sore joints.
Rheumatoid arthritis can cause pain and swelling, and in severe cases may lead to joint deformity or bone erosion. This leads to weakness, stiffness, tenderness, or “pins and needles” sensations.
The daily life of someone living with arthritis can be greatly limited without the help of physical therapy. Arthritis can make it difficult to work, exercise, and do the activities you love.
The two main types of arthritis
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis, the most commonly experienced type of arthritis, is fairly easy to diagnose. There are a couple of different ways in which osteoarthritis can develop, such as a sudden injury, or with gradual “wear and tear” over time.
Sometimes, osteoarthritis can even develop from a seemingly healed injury. Imagine this: you were a football player in school who experienced a harsh knee collision during a game. You get treated for the injury, recover, and return to your sport. However, you continue to notice the lingering pains of your knee injury, even after your football career ends. After an injury heals, it is still possible for arthritis to eventually develop in that affected area. Especially, if it still experiences the same repetitive overuse after the fact.
This can also be said for labor-intensive careers. Let’s say you’re a carpenter or roofer, whose job requires the repetitive swinging of tools. This puts your joints at a higher risk of developing osteoarthritis later in life.
Rheumatoid
Rheumatoid arthritis, the second most commonly experienced type of arthritis, is not as well understood as osteoarthritis. Referred to as “inflammatory arthritis,” it develops as an autoimmune response, resulting in painful inflammation. If you are living with rheumatoid arthritis, it means that your immune system sees your joints as a threat and subsequently decides to attack them.
Research for the causes of rheumatoid arthritis is still ongoing; however, several experts have come to believe that one’s hormones, medical history, and environment could all be contributing factors to the development of this condition. Since it develops as an autoimmune response, it is also common for the same joints to be affected on both sides of the body.
Looking for relief? Contact us
If you have been living with arthritis, or you think you may be experiencing arthritic symptoms, don’t hesitate to contact our Johnson City, TN physical therapy office for an appointment today. We’ll help you manage your arthritic pains so you can get back to living the life you want to live!
Visit our clinic location today to get started!