Prabhu Clinic

What is physiotherapy?
Physiotherapy helps to improve the strength of muscle, and joint which is affected by injury, diseases, or disability through movement, exercise, manual therapy, and advice. 

What are the most common joint complaints?
Rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and gout are the most common complaint, and physiotherapy has a great role in it.

What are the benefits of physiotherapy in joint complaints?

1. It reduces pain which in turn helps you reduce your intake of painkillers.
2. In some cases, it prevents chances of surgery, and also increases the capacity of the joint to function for the longer period of time.
3. It improves mobility, and movement of the joints.
4. It avoids fall which is usually common in the joint complaint and improves the balance of the patients.

How physiotherapy help in the joint complaint?
Physiotherapy includes following methods to improve the joint complaints:

1. Local applications
Application of ice packs to soothe hot, swollen joints and application of heat packs to relax tense, tired muscles is usually done.

2. Splinting of joints
In cases of rheumatoid arthritis where joint complaints flare ups at that time splinting of the joints helps to the greater extent. Immobilization of the joint with splint helps to avoid further damage of soft tissues, and nerves.

3. Trans-cutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) therapy
It helps by blocking pain messages from affected joint to the brain, and it alters the perception of pain. It is done by using a small machine with an electronic device which sends impulses to the nerve endings, and this is attached with the pads which are placed on the skin. This device causes a tingling sensation that gives soothing effects to the joint.

4. Gradual increasing daily exercises
Exercise should be started slowly, and it should increase slowly. This helps to strengthen the muscles and joints and increases fitness. Regular exercise also stimulates the production of endorphin which is one of the best pain-relieving hormones.

5. Massage therapy
Physiotherapy also includes massage therapy which helps to relax the muscles, helps to improve joint movement, and makes more comfortable movements.

6. Acupuncture
Sometimes, acupuncture is also used to stimulate the brain to produce endorphins.

7. Hydrotherapy
Hydrotherapy includes exercise in the warm water pool. It is mostly used in osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. The warm water in the pool increases circulation during exercise, and due to the buoyancy of water, the joint, and muscles can be exercised without any unnecessary pressure on it.

8. Phonophoresis
In which ultrasound is used to deliver certain medications such as topical steroids, painkillers to decrease the inflammation of joints.

9. Use of light therapy
In light therapy, infrared waves are used to raise body temperature which ultimately increases blood circulation. It gives fast pain relief and reduces inflammation.

There are few simple tips that can help a person in treating neck and back pain without the need for getting into medications. You must not take such pain lightly as the problem may be aggravated.

 Word arthritis comes from the Greek arthronmeaning “joint” and the Latin itis meaning “inflammation.” Arthritis affects the musculoskeletal system, specifically the joints. It is the main cause of disability among people above 55 years of age in industrialized countries.

Arthritis is not a single disease – it is an umbrella term that covers more than 100 medical conditions. Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of arthritis and generally affects elderly patients. Some forms of arthritis can affect people at a much younger age.

OSTEOARTHRITIS – usually occurs with age, as cartilage loses elasticity. Risk factors include: old age; joint injury; poorly formed joints; excessive weight; genetic defects; stress on the joints from certain jobs or sports.The symptoms of osteoarthritis develop slowly and get worse as time goes by. The most common affected joints are in the hips, hands, knees and spine. The joint become stiff sometimes swollen and loses its flexibility, especially first thing in the morning.

RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS – is an inflammatory form of arthritis. The synovial membrane (synovium) is attacked, resulting in swelling and pain. If left untreated the arthritis can lead to deformity.
Among the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis are swollen, inflamed, stiff and painful joints. The fingers, arms, legs and wrists are most commonly affected. Symptoms are usually worse on waking in the morning but get better half an hour later. Weight loss is common.

INFECTIOUS ARTHRITIS (septic arthritic) – is an infection in the synovial fluid and tissues of a joint. It is usually caused by bacteria, but could also be caused by fungi or viruses.
Symptoms of infectious arthritis include fever, joint inflammation and swelling. Tenderness with joint pain is always noticeable. Usually symptoms are linked to injuries or other illnesses.

JUVENILE RHEUMATOID ARTHRTIS (JRA) – means arthritis that affects a person aged 16 or under.

JRA can manifest in any of three ways:

1. Pauciarticular JRA, the most common and mildest. The child experiences pain in up to four joints.
2. Polyarticular JRA affects more joints and is more severe. As time goes by, it tends to get worse.
3. Systemic JRA is the least common. Pain is experienced in many joints. It can spread to organs. This can be the most serious JRA.
Sufferers of Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis are often children with poor appetite, weight loss, anemia, and intermittent fever.

TREATMENTS

As one of the most popular holistic systems of medicine, homeopathy is a safe and permanent way of eliminating arthritis. A remedy is chosen based on the theory of individualization and symptom similarity. In this way, a state of complete health can be regained, removing all the signs and symptoms from which a patient is suffering.

Below is a list of acute arthritis remedies, along with a description of the disease they treat. Keep in mind that these remedies may only act as immediate palliatives and will not permanently cure arthritis unless they are a constitutional match for the patient.

• Bryonia alba – Excellent arthritis remedy for pain with inflammation that is aggravated by movement and relieved by moderate pressure and rest.

• Ledum – Remarkable arthritis remedy for gout and ascending rheumatism. Works best by cold application.

• Rhus Tox – For pain aggravated by first movement and damp weather and made better by continuous motion.

• Colchicum – For pain made worse by motion, touch or mental effort, better by warmth and rest. Mostly for gouty pain.

• Kalmia – Well known arthritis remedy for descending pain, or pain with heart palpitation and slow pulse.

• Guaiacum – For gouty abscesses of joints, and pain relieved by cold bath and cold application.

• Calcarea Carb – For arthritic swelling and knee pain made worse by cold, especially in fleshy people.

• Benzoic acid – For gouty concretions of joints, and knee pain caused by abnormal deposition of uric acid.

• Hypericum – Remarkable arthritis remedy for rheumatoid arthritis; has outstanding action over nerve pain.

Dislocation refers to an injury, which causes the bones to abnormally separate from each other in the joint, which is the meeting place of the bones. Dislocation causes intense pain and is most common in the fingers, shoulders and the elbows. Although a timely diagnosis can make your pain go away, any future injury in the tendons or the ligaments might bring back the injury. 

What can cause a dislocation?
The causes of dislocation are as follows:

1. A body joint can get dislocated if you have suffered a fall.
2. If you are into any form of sports that requires strenuous physical activity and intense exertion on certain body parts like gymnastics, football or volleyball you have a chance of suffering from dislocated body joints.
3. Automobile accidents can also cause dislocation of joints.
4. Some People who are with a loose ligament and are more likely to get a dislocated joint than other people. This may happen without the influence of a major physical trauma or stress.

Understanding the signs and symptoms
In the majority of the cases, a dislocation of the joint is easily detectable as it induces inflammation along with redness and deformation of the affected area. Some of the other symptoms that might occur as a result of the dislocation of the body joints could be: 

1. You might experience severe pain while moving the dislocated joint.
2. There will be a lack of sensation near the dislocated portion.
3. There might be a stinging sensation in the dislocated area.
4. In certain areas you may not be able to move the joint at all

If you have a dislocated joint, the doctors can easily relocate them. Depending on the amount of swelling and pain you are experiencing, the doctor might administer local anesthesia during the process. If the joint dislocation is too severe or has multiple instances of dislocation, then you may have to undergo surgery. Surgery may also be suggested if the adjoined ligaments or tendons are severely affected along with the joints.