Why Is Physiotherapy A Key To The Treatment Of Arthritis?

There are over 200 types of arthritis that are known to medical science. While some are easy to manage, some can be deadly if proper care is not taken on time. The common factor of any arthritis, however, is the physical pain in the joints and muscles.

How Does Physiotherapy Help?

It is known that some forms of exercise go a long way in managing the symptoms of arthritis. Physiotherapy focuses on the right form of exercise that helps in relieving pain. Furthermore, they help to improve the movement of the joint, the walking posture and muscle strengthening. Based on the condition and severity of the pain, a physiotherapist might recommend free hand exercise or workout sessions in a swimming pool.

What is the Role of a Physiotherapist?

Apart from helping in managing pain, a physiotherapist’s job includes the following:

1. To improve the flexibility, balance and coordination of the body in order to achieve the maximum physical function.

2. Recommend appropriate exercise to fix improper posture that may be causing the pain.

3. Assist in using devices such as canes and walkers.

4. Recommend various other treatment options such as thermal therapy, shoe inserts, braces and splints in order to relieve the pain.

5. Recommend changes in the environment such as using of cushion, ergonomic chairs etc.

Exercise:

A physiotherapist recommends various exercises in order to relieve the pain. They start with graded exercises. These start slowly and quantify in an incremental manner. Graded exercises help to strengthen the bone and increase the fitness of an arthritis patient. It also helps the body secrete a hormone known as endorphins which help to manage the pain.

Strengthening and Stretching:

Stretching and strengthening are basic starters that a physiotherapist recommends. After assessing the strength of the muscle, a physiotherapist advises on the techniques and of various stretching and strengthening exercises. Stretching helps to relax the muscle and free up any cramps in the body. Strengthening, on the other hand, helps the bone to become more flexible and reduces the pain.

Avoiding Arthritis Pain:

1. It is important to be active. Keeping the muscles strong and moving the muscles is a key to get relief from the pain.

2. Maintain a healthy diet in order to ensure the right BMI for your body. Being overweight or obese can exert added pressure on the bone resulting in arthritis pain.

3. Maintain good body posture, especially walking and sitting posture. Good posture helps in ensuring normal breathing and proper digestion.

4. Regularly practice the exercises recommended by the physiotherapist.

5. Using of cooling packs and thermal treatment on the joints often helps to relieve the pain.