People often think of physiotherapy as a means of treating injuries that have occurred as the result of an accident, or from playing sports. They are often surprised to learn that this form of treatment can also be beneficial in treating other conditions such as arthritis.
Physiotherapy can benefit arthritis patients by helping them to restore mobility in their joints and by reducing pain. Having a better understanding of how physiotherapy may be able to treat your arthritis symptoms can help you determine whether this is a type of treatment that you would like to try.
What is arthritis?
Arthritis is a condition that causes chronic inflammation in the joints. It can affect almost anywhere in the body including hands, shoulders, knees and hips. Two common categories of the disease are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid.
Rheumatoid is the result of an autoimmune disorder that targets the tissues of the joints while osteoarthritis is the result of physical wear. Other factors such as genetics may also play a role. Symptoms of both types can include stiffness, swelling and pain.
While arthritis mainly affects older individuals, it has become increasingly common in younger adults and in children.
How physiotherapy can help
The most effective ways to fight the symptoms of arthritis are movement and exercise. Before treating a patient, a trained physiotherapist will complete a comprehensive evaluation in order to diagnose any other health issues. They will then put together a customized treatment plan that targets areas of the body affected by the disease. Over time, physiotherapy treatments can improve daily mobility and relieve pain.
Depending on the severity and location of the arthritis, physiotherapists will use us a number of methods during their treatments including manual therapy, hydrotherapy, stretching and exercise. They will help patients to reduce their inflammation by teaching them how to improve both their movement and posture so as not to put undue stress on the joints, tendons, ligaments and muscles.
In some cases, they may also recommend assistive devices such as walkers, canes or braces or other equipment to help change the environment of your home or workplace.
With regular physiotherapy, arthritis patients can improve their joint mobility and muscle strength. Over time, they can begin to experience more normal range of motion and reduced pain while doing daily tasks such as standing, sitting and walking.
Contact Flexcare Therapy today
If you suffer from arthritis and would like to learn more about how you might benefit from physiotherapy, then call our office today at 905-232-2032.
How Physiotherapy Can Help Arthritis Patients
