Physical Therapy For Arthritis

Physical therapy can deliver remarkable improvements for improving general mobility and the use of joints affected by arthritis. The straightforward objectives are to help prevent the problem from growing worse, manage/reduce the pain they cause, and allow people to continue to stay fit into their later years. Physical Therapists are experts in this field and well skilled and experienced in helping to treat arthritis in all of its forms. You will find that as it is included in the vast majority of treatment plans and that it has a very significant success rate.

How Physical Therapy Can Assist With Arthritis

In most cases, patients will be partnered with a single therapist who will coach them through all stages of their treatment. Treatment plans are going to vary depending on personal needs and the type of joint(s) affected, but will all seek to enhance mobility and help to control and manage painful movements.

In almost all cases the focus will initially be upon understanding and enhancing general body mechanics including posture, balance, and dexterity. Patients will be encouraged to perform basic/light household tasks in their own time, and mostly spend their sessions literally going through these motions, and making use of noninvasive electric, hot/cold, and NeuroGym therapies. Posture and balance training will also look at how to properly use physical aids and assistive tools such as walkers and canes.

Patients should approach physical therapy for arthritis with an open mind and carefully consider the advice offered by their therapists. In more extreme cases this may include possible adjustments for the home that can enable comfortable independent living (everything from stairlifts and ergonomic seating through to better shoe innersoles).

Physical Therapy Is Rarely Intensive Or Painful

As physical therapy intends to gradually strengthen and reinforce the body against arthritis you should expect most of the best results to take a little time to develop. Physical therapy sessions are intended to explain the kind of exercises and therapies that most people will be able to perform themselves and without professional assistance. Providing patients keep to their treatment schedule (this will be tailored as required) they need only make occasional visits for progress checks and more extensive therapy sessions that require expert help and specialist equipment.

Set Ambitious Targets

One of the first questions your therapist will ask is what your ambitions are. For instance, do you want to be able to get in and out of a vehicle painlessly - or do you wish to be able to drive for long distances without discomfort? Is the ultimate objective being able to simply get about without experiencing pain, or do you wish to take a longer-term approach to keep fit into your later years? Setting objectives - no matter how opaque they might be - is a key aspect of successful physical therapy and with professional assistance when required anyone can enjoy potentially life-changing improvements.

Final Thoughts

Physical therapy encourages gradual improvements and the vast majority of people will experience a reduction in the discomfort that their arthritis causes. Always remember to ask whatever questions you wish when consulting prospective therapists. The more information and detail you can provide the better they will be able to tailor your physical therapy towards meeting your personal objectives.

Max enjoys writing on the important topics in life.