Is physiotherapy useful for arthritis.?

If you have arthritis, you may be used to living with daily joint pain. And although joint damage not caused by arthritis is not reversible, treatment can help you manage pain, improve mobility and maintain a good quality of life. One of the most effective treatment recommendations for osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis is physiotherapy (PT) . Although physiotherapy will not cure arthritis, it can have a significant positive effect on your pain levels and daily mobility. Keep reading to learn more about the benefits of physiotherapy for arthritis.

What is the purpose of physiotherapy for arthritis?

Physiotherapy is one of the most recommended treatments for rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis pain. It is non-invasive, effective and has no potentially harmful side effects (unlike drugs and cortisone injections). With the help of physiotherapy, you can achieve the following goals:

Physiotherapy helps you increase strength, flexibility, range of motion, balance, and endurance to preserve joint mobility, slow the progression of arthritic degeneration, and stay active for as long as possible.

recommande a personalized plan that includes exercises, stretches, and special treatments to help you achieve a set of goals. Your goals might be to complete household chores at home without pain or to return to work without pain. During physiotherapy sessions, your therapist will guide you through exercises and treatments to improve your functional mobility. Additionally, your therapist will teach you how to exercise, stretch, and modify your home environment to reduce pain and maintain joint functionality.

 After an initial course of physiotherapy, you probably won’t need to see your therapist once a week or even once a month. As you progress through your therapy program, your therapist will teach you all the strategies you need to continue taking care of yourself at home. After you graduate, you may only need to see your therapist every few months to update your treatment plan.

5 façons dont le PT profite à la douleur arthritique

Physiotherapy is beneficial for arthritis affecting all joints, including arthritis of the foot and ankle, knee, hip, spine, shoulder and wrist, and hand. Here are five ways PT can help improve arthritis pain and stiffness.

 Stiffness is one of the main symptoms of arthritis. When the joints become too stiff, you may begin to experience difficulty walking, climbing stairs, sitting down or standing up, getting in or out of the car, and performing other daily tasks. A physical therapist will work with you to optimize joint range of motion so that daily activities are easier to perform.

 Weak muscles put more stress on surrounding joints. Added stress causes more joint pain and faster joint degeneration. A therapist will work with you to strengthen the muscles that support joint function, reducing pain and stabilizing the joints.

Poor posture is another factor that puts more stress on the surrounding joints. A therapist will show you the correct body position for sitting, standing, walking, and sleeping, which reduces the amount of stress on arthritic joints. They can also show you how to adjust the positioning of your chairs (at home and at work), car seat, bed, and workstation to promote better posture.

 Your therapist is a great resource for finding ways to improve your daily life with arthritis. He or she can show you how to modify your environment and daily tasks to reduce pain and conserve energy. Your therapist will also teach you how and when to use assistive devices like a walker, cane, wheelchair, brace, and shoe inserts to manage your pain and reduce your risk of injury.

 Your therapist can provide you with specialized treatment recommendations. Physiotherapy is not just about exercise and stretching. Your therapist may also perform specialized treatments – such as ice/heat therapy, therapeutic massage, TENS – to help you find pain relief. In addition, your therapist will show you how to stretch, exercise, and apply ice and heat therapy yourself at home.

Receive individual physical therapy at BEST

MEILLEURES Chirurgie et Thérapies offers individual physiotherapy services and other therapy programs under the care of our certified therapists. As a patient at BEST, you will receive a personalized care plan designed to minimize your pain while maximizing your movement and independence.

For more information and to book an appointment, please call us to speak with a dedicated Patient Experience Coordinator.