Arthritis is a painful swelling and tenderness of the joints caused by inflammation. Although arthritis pain is often associated with age, the majority of those impacted are actually between the ages of 20 and 65. In fact, statistics show that the most common forms of arthritis—osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and lupus—are responsible for billions spent in medical care and lost earnings among working-age Americans each year.
If you’re concerned about worsening symptoms and the waning efficacy of pain medications, you should consider adding physical therapy to your arthritis pain treatment plan. Learn how to treat arthritis with physical therapy in this guide from the team at IMPACT.
Arthritis Pain Treatment with Physical Therapy
While pain medications can mask the discomfort of inflamed joints, physical therapy can treat the problem at its source to reduce pain. So, how exactly can physical therapy help with arthritis pain? Whether you’re dealing with pain and stiffness in your shoulder, fingers, hip, or any other joint, a licensed physical therapist can design an arthritis pain treatment plan that consists of exercises and other specialized therapies to reduce the severity of your symptoms. Your physical therapist can:
- Improve range of motion in the affected joints with a program of personalized exercises and stretches.
- Help you uncover environmental factors that may be causing or exacerbating your pain, and suggest ways to mitigate their impact.
- Help you build strength in the muscles that surround the problematic joints. Stronger muscles provide more support for the joint, and strengthening them can reduce joint pain.
- Apply specialized forms of therapy as needed, including chiropractic care, hot and cold therapy, and deep tissue massage.
Physical Therapy for Arthritis Pain Treatment Near Chicago
Physical therapy can help with the arthritis pain that’s keeping you on the sidelines of the activities you love! Contact IMPACT Physical Therapy to learn more about how to treat arthritis with a physical therapist, and request an appointment today. With facilities in the South Loop, the southwest suburbs, and Champaign Urbana, we’re easy to reach for arthritis sufferers throughout the greater Chicago area.
