Are You Ready to Live Pain Free?
Are you living with chronic pain? If so, you’re certainly not alone. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 20% of the United States population suffers from chronic pain.
Every day, our physical therapists work with people who are dealing with the physical and mental effects of chronic pain caused by conditions such as arthritis and fibromyalgia.
If your joints are achy and stiff, it’s time to start working with a physical therapist. Contact Atta Rehab today to schedule an appointment with one of our dedicated staff members. And in the meantime, keep reading to better understand the reasons for your joint pain.
Is my joint pain caused by arthritis?
Did you know that in the United States, arthritis is the leading cause of disability? Arthritis affects approximately 50 million people, according to the Arthritis Foundation. While arthritis can affect any joint, it is most commonly found in the neck, back, hands, hips, and knees.
There are two types of arthritis that are the most common causes of joint pain: osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Here is a more in-depth look at these types of arthritis:
- Osteoarthritis is by far the most common type of arthritis. It usually appears later in life and is caused by poor body mechanics, overuse of the joint, or an injury. During physical activity, joint cartilage acts as a natural barrier, lubricating and distributing force. Osteoarthritis occurs when cartilage breaks down and no longer provides a cushion between adjacent bones. The hands, hips, knees, and spine are the most commonly affected body parts by osteoarthritis.
- Rheumatoid Arthritis: This is an autoimmune disorder in which the healing systems of the body attack the joints. This causes joint inflammation, which can be excruciatingly painful. Rheumatoid arthritis typically begins in the hands, wrists, or feet, but it can spread to the hips, knees, or shoulders if you don’t take action to combat it. If you have rheumatoid arthritis, your doctor will most likely prescribe pharmaceutical treatments to alleviate your symptoms. Physical therapy can also be extremely beneficial.
Gout, bursitis, lupus, and tendinitis are all conditions that can also cause joint pain. The specific course of physical therapy that is recommended for you will vary depending on the cause of your joint pain.
3 of the many benefits of physical therapy
You don’t deserve to be in pain every day, and with physical therapy, you might not have to!
Here are three reasons why you should see a physical therapist for your aching joints:
1. You’ll improve your overall health
When you work with a physical therapist, you gain a partner in your healing and health. Your therapist can empower you to prevent recurring issues and optimize your overall health by teaching you exercises, mindfulness techniques, lifestyle changes, breathing techniques, and safer ways to function in your daily life.
You will gain independence and support your caregivers as you experience less pain, increased strength, and improved function.
2. You’ll relieve pain without the use of harmful drugs
Did you know that the CDC and other professional organizations officially recognize physical therapy as a safe alternative to pain-relieving medications such as opioids?
Physical therapy has been shown in research studies to be effective for relieving chronic joint pain and may even help you cut back on your medication (under the supervision of your doctor, of course).
Non-invasive modalities used by physical therapists, such as electrical stimulation, diathermy, or ultrasound can relieve spasms and naturally block pain signals.
This type of temporary pain relief is beneficial because it allows you to participate in rehabilitation exercises and get better sleep, both of which are important for overall health and stress relief. Physical therapy can also assist you in achieving long-term pain relief.
3. You’ll unlock long-term pain relief
Aside from relieving joint pain and stiffness, a physical therapist may also use a variety of individually tailored techniques and services to address the underlying causes of your joint problems.
Long-term, this can help you avoid or reduce daily pain, slow disease progression, and even keep your joint problem from worsening.
Your individualized treatment plan may include one or more of the following modalities:
- Prescription and fitting of custom orthoses, braces, and other devices to support, compensate for, and/or alleviate pressure on your affected joints
- Neuromuscular education techniques to improve your balance and reduce the risk of falls, which may otherwise exacerbate your pain
- Manual techniques like joint mobilizations and massage to improve joint alignment, reduce swelling and stiffness, and break up painful adhesions
- Therapeutic exercises and stretches to correct strength or mobility imbalances, promote tissue healing, and improve overall joint function and stability
It’s time to put an end to your joint pain, contact us today!
Are you ready to start living without the restrictions of chronic pain? Contact our physical therapy clinic today to make an appointment and start living a pain-free life.
Sources
https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/67/wr/mm6736a2.htm
https://www.choosept.com/choose-physical-therapy-over-opioids-for-pain-management-choosept
