Physio Explains: Can Physio Help Arthritis?
Physio can help many people with arthritis. There is a lot a physiotherapist can do to help people living with arthritis, and this post will explain how.
One of the main functions of physio for arthritis is pain management. There are many different types of arthritis so therefore there are a lot of different ways physio can help arthritis to manage symptoms such as joint pain, fatigue, swelling, etc.
Physio For Managing Arthritis
Physiotherapy can help improve strength and function in people with arthritis.
Additionally, physio for arthritis can help you to manage your arthritis better with exercise so that you can stay as healthy and active as possible. Staying active is an important part of managing arthritis. Many physiotherapists prescribe a treatment tailored specifically towards each client they see, i.e client-based care because everyone’s journey is different.
How Physio Helps Arthritis
Physiotherapy for arthritis aims to help you manage your arthritis symptoms with exercise, pain relief, and also through education about managing arthritis long-term.
Modify The Modifiable And Don’t Worry About The Unmodifiable
Physios use a wide range of therapies or what is called an integrated approach because there is no one therapy for everyone, but treatment is usually a combination of things to help and manage arthritis – such as progressive exercise therapy, hands-on therapy, joint traction and laser therapy.
Physio Can Help Relief Pain
People who suffer from arthritis can have multiple limitations that impact how they carry out their everyday tasks. Some of the limitations that physios can help relieve for those suffering from arthritis include:
- Joint pain.
- Joint stiffness.
- Swelling.
- Reduced range of motion.
- Loss of function.
- Difficulty walking.
- Difficulty carrying out everyday tasks.
- Difficulty sleeping.
If you are suffering from any of these limitations it might be worth seeing a physiotherapist.
How Exercise Therapy Helps Arthritis
Exercise therapy is a great way to help reduce symptoms associated with arthritis. Your physiotherapist will design a very specific exercise program with your unique goals, needs, and impairments in mind.
Your physiotherapist will gradually progress your exercise program to include more exercise and increase the intensity so your body is challenged just the right amount to facilitate positive change, for example, gains in strength, balance, coordination, and endurance.
How Hands-on Therapy Helps Arthritis
Physiotherapists use a combination of hands-on therapies such as joint mobilizations (or ‘mobs’ as we like to call them), and massage therapy or muscle release techniques to improve function by reducing pain and limitations in range of motion, or stiffness. Hands-on therapies can also be used to relax tight muscles and relieve tension.
When it comes to arthritis physiotherapists use hands-on techniques to reduce pain and stiffness in the affected joint – be it the knee, hip, wrist, or spine.
Laser Therapy For Arthritis
Laser therapy is sometimes used alongside exercise for arthritis pain. The evidence for it is mixed, and results vary.
It is a non-invasive treatment that applies light energy to the area being treated.
Physio Treatment For Arthritis
Physio treatment starts with a thorough client history, we gather your story related to the problem.
Then, we do an examination to determine what might we like to work on in treatment and what we can improve. After a thorough examination, your physio will start treatment to help reduce symptoms and promote wellness.
Your physio will work with you over a series of treatments to help improve your:
– Symptoms and pain levels (inflammation).
– Function, balance, coordination, and endurance.
These elements are often lost in arthritis sufferers because of the arthritis symptoms present – such as joint stiffness or swelling that limits movement ability.
We will work with you to help reduce arthritis symptoms that are impacting your ability to carry out tasks, improve function, and manage arthritis. We can also help you develop an exercise program at home so you can stay on track for wellness between physio visits.
If you want more information about arthritis treatment or how physio might be able to help arthritis sufferers, contact your local physio today to book an appointment.
We hope this blog has helped answer the question “can physiotherapy help arthritis?”.
Conclusion
Physio can help many people with arthritis to manage symptoms and flare-ups and to improve mobility and function. The key things to take from this blog is – physio is tailored to you, movement is key, and don’t worry about what is out of your control.
References
[2] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4756025/