Physical Therapy for Arthritis: Move More, Hurt Less
Arthritis affects millions worldwide, causing joint pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility. It can make daily activities like walking, standing, or even holding objects challenging. Fortunately, physical therapy (PT) can help manage arthritis symptoms and improve quality of life. In this blog, we’ll look at how physical therapy works for arthritis and why it’s an effective solution for pain relief and increased movement.
What is Physical Therapy?
Physical therapy (PT) is a healthcare approach designed to improve movement, reduce pain, and restore function. It uses a combination of exercises, hands-on treatments, and education to help people recover from injuries or manage chronic conditions like arthritis.
For people with arthritis, physical therapy can help relieve pain, improve joint flexibility, and strengthen muscles that support the joints. This approach allows individuals to stay active and independent without relying on medications or surgery.
How Arthritis Affects Your Body
Arthritis involves inflammation in the joints, which leads to pain, swelling, and stiffness. The two most common types are osteoarthritis (OA), caused by wear and tear on the joints, and rheumatoid arthritis (RA), an autoimmune disease that attacks the joints.
Arthritis can make everyday tasks, like walking or lifting objects, painful. Over time, people with arthritis tend to move less because of pain, which leads to more stiffness and weakness in the muscles. This cycle can make it harder to move freely. Physical therapy breaks this cycle by encouraging movement and strengthening muscles, which can reduce pain and improve joint function.
The Role of Physical Therapy in Managing Arthritis
Physical therapy can help people with arthritis through the following methods:
Education
Learning about arthritis and how it affects your joints is a key part of physical therapy. A physical therapist will teach you how to protect your joints, how to pace your activities, and how to use assistive devices like braces or canes if needed. This knowledge empowers you to manage pain and avoid activities that could worsen your condition.Strengthening Exercises
Strengthening the muscles around the affected joints helps reduce the load on the joints themselves. This is especially important for people with osteoarthritis. Exercises that target the muscles in the legs, arms, or back can help provide better support for your joints and reduce pain. A physical therapist will recommend safe, low-impact exercises like swimming or cycling to build strength without putting too much stress on the joints.Stretching and Range of Motion
Arthritis often causes stiffness, making it difficult to move freely. Stretching exercises can help improve flexibility and joint mobility. A physical therapist will guide you through specific stretches that target the areas affected by arthritis, helping you keep your joints moving properly.Aerobic Conditioning
Aerobic exercises, like walking or cycling, can improve cardiovascular health, boost endurance, and help maintain a healthy weight. This is important because maintaining a healthy weight reduces the strain on weight-bearing joints like the knees, hips, and spine. Aerobic exercise also improves circulation, which can help reduce inflammation, especially for people with rheumatoid arthritis.
Manual Therapy
Manual therapy involves hands-on techniques where the therapist uses gentle pressure to mobilize joints and soft tissues. This can help reduce pain and improve movement in stiff or painful joints. Manual therapy is particularly helpful for people with arthritis in the spine, hands, or other small joints.
Psychological Benefits of Physical Therapy
Arthritis can also affect your mental wellbeing. Chronic pain and limited mobility can lead to frustration, stress, and depression. However, as you experience improvements through physical therapy, you may find that you feel more confident and positive. The ability to move better and perform activities with less pain can boost your mood and overall sense of well-being.
Finding the Right Physical Therapy Clinic
Physical therapy is an effective way to manage arthritis. By focusing on movement, education, strengthening exercises, stretching, and manual therapy, PT helps reduce pain and improve mobility for people with arthritis. The “Move More, Hurt Less” philosophy of physical therapy encourages patients to stay active, helping them regain independence and improve their quality of life.
Halcyon Fitness is located in Makati City and can help you move better and live with less pain, supporting you on your journey toward a healthier, more active lifestyle.