Arthritis Pain

Unfortunately, arthritic pain will affect us all at one point or another in our lives. Arthritic pain is usually worse in the morning and will present itself as stiffness in the joints. Arthritis is a common ailment that many people experience; however, most live with their painful joints for far too long before they decide to seek help. Fortunately, arthritis can be managed with the help of physical therapy. One of our highly-trained physical therapists at New Stride Physical Therapy will determine if exercises will be beneficial in providing pain relief for your arthritis and if exercises will also help decrease your risk of sustaining arthritis-related injuries.

Osteoarthritis is the most commonly experienced form of arthritis, and therefore it is typically easy to diagnose. Osteoarthritis can be caused by a sudden injury to a joint, or it can develop after a previous injury has fully healed. The same is true for labor-intensive careers that require repetitive motion of a joint. Being overweight puts additional strain on the hips and knees and may also increase your risk for developing osteoarthritis.

Rheumatoid arthritis, the second most commonly experienced form of arthritis, is not as easily understood. It develops as an autoimmune response, meaning that the immune system sees the joints as a threat. Because of this, the immune system decides to attack the joints, causing pain and inflammation. Researchers have come to believe that your medical history, environment, and hormones could all be contributing factors toward the development of rheumatoid arthritis. Because it is an autoimmune condition, it is common for it to affect the same joints on each side of your body.

According to the Arthritis Foundation, arthritis affects over 50 million people and it is currently the leading cause of disability across the nation. Because it is so commonplace across the United States, it is important to understand the symptoms. Osteoarthritis is caused when the cartilage around the joints wears down, either due to age or overuse. When this happens, severe pain may be felt in the joint, as the cartilage is no longer acting as the thick cushion that it once was. Without a cushion, the bones grind together, causing a sensation of soreness, tightness, or piercing pain. Rheumatoid arthritis, also referred to as “inflammatory arthritis,” can cause painful swelling, bone erosion, and joint deformity. Symptoms could include stiffness, tenderness, weakness and the sensation of pins and needles. It is an autoimmune disease that can affect the joints on both sides of the body, and it is typically more prevalent in females than males.

According to WebMD, those suffering from arthritic pain can greatly benefit from physical therapy. Depending on the nature of your condition, your treatment plan may include weight management to help ease some stress on your joints, or posture improvement to relieve stiffness and prevent injury. Your physical therapist will also provide specific techniques for alleviating pain, which may include thermal therapies, manual therapy, or ultrasound.

If you are experiencing arthritic symptoms and you are looking to find pain relief for arthritis, call New Stride Physical Therapy for an appointment today. Our dedicated physical therapists at New Stride Physical Therapy will be happy to help you find the relief you need.