Arthritis affects over 50 million people in the United States. It can be a debilitating condition that causes pain and inflammation.
A physical therapist can help patients with arthritis achieve improved mobility, strength and quality of life. They will work with you to develop an exercise program that is customized to your individual needs.
Physical Therapy Center
If your arthritis is severe enough to limit your mobility you may want to see a physical therapist. This will help you learn exercises that will keep your joints moving without pain.
There are many different types of physical therapy but it all focuses on keeping your joints healthy and pain free. Your PT will design an exercise program that works with your individual goals and abilities.
It can be frustrating at times when you’re in therapy but its important to stay focused on your goal. Whether thats to increase your range of motion, strengthen your muscles or even improve your posture.
The best physical therapy clinics have multiple treatment options from massage to ice and heat therapies. These treatments decrease inflammation, relieve pain and relax tight muscles.
Chiropractic Office
If you are suffering from a musculoskeletal disorder, such as arthritis its often recommended that you seek the help of a chiropractor. They focus on manipulating the spine and other joints to treat pain.
They may also offer a wide range of therapeutic and rehabilitative therapies to enhance your healing process. They can help you relieve acute or chronic pain, promote general strength and improve mobility.
Your therapist may also recommend assistive devices to reduce stress on your joints and muscles. These can include canes, walkers, crutches and braces.
Physical therapy can help you improve your strength and reduce secondary complications from a sedentary lifestyle. It can also help you adapt to your arthritis in a way that does not cause you more pain.
You can learn about the business end of a chiropractic practice by becoming an associate at an existing chiropractic office after you graduate this can be a great opportunity to hone your clinical skills while gaining experience in the day to day operations of running a practice.
Doctor’s Office
If you’re looking for physical therapy for arthritis you might be wondering where to go. A doctors office can be a good place to get physical therapy for many reasons including that they typically provide affordable treatment.
According to WebMD, a physical therapist will work with you on weight management to take some stress off your joints posture to ensure that you don’t cause further injury and specific techniques for alleviating your arthritic joint pain. These may include thermal modalities such as applying ice packs or heat pads as well as ultrasound and other techniques.
A physical therapist can also help you learn how to use devices such as walkers and orthotics correctly and safely. This is important because many people with arthritis tend to put too much strain on their joints when moving and using these aids which can lead to further injuries or worsening symptoms.
In addition to helping you manage your physical symptoms a physical therapist can also provide emotional support and bolster your coping skills. Whether through breathing exercises, taking naps, visual imagery, or meditation a physical therapist can teach you ways to deal with the stress and frustration that arthritis can cause.
Massage Therapy
Massages are an effective way to alleviate arthritis pain, stiffness and inflammation. They have also been shown to help patients sleep better and improve their quality of life.
A therapist can work on your whole body or focus on specific areas depending on your needs. Its important to talk about which parts of your body you want to work on and if there are any injuries or other conditions that need special attention.
During the massage you need to wear clothing that allows the therapist to move freely. You’ll also want to tell the therapist about any allergies or medications you take.
Massage therapy can benefit people with various forms of arthritis, including osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and gout.