Help Coping With Arthritis Flare-Ups With Movement
The sharp, stabbing pain. The stiffness that makes even the simplest tasks feel monumental. The frustration of watching your body betray you. If you’re living with arthritis, you know these struggles all too well. Arthritis flare-ups can strike unexpectedly and disrupt your life, sometimes leaving you feeling helpless. Fortunately, there are strategies and treatments available to help you regain control and find relief, even during the most challenging moments. Coping with arthritis flare-ups and learning how to manage them properly is important for maintaining your quality of life and staying active.
Keep reading to learn how we can help!
Why Patients Need Help Coping With Arthritis Flare-Ups
Coping with arthritis flare-ups requires a multi-faceted approach. Physical therapy offers a unique and valuable solution for managing pain and improving function during flare-ups by addressing the underlying causes of your symptoms.
Arthritis is a broad term encompassing over 100 different conditions that cause pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility in the joints. Two common types are osteoarthritis (wear-and-tear arthritis) and rheumatoid arthritis (an autoimmune disease).
Risk Factors
- Age
- Genetics
- Obesity
- Previous joint injuries
- Certain occupations involving repetitive joint movements
Symptoms
- Joint pain
- Swelling
- Stiffness
- Reduced range of motion
An arthritis flare-up is a temporary worsening of symptoms, often triggered by factors like overuse, stress, weather changes, or illness. During a flare-up, pain and stiffness can intensify, making daily activities challenging.
Coping With Arthritis Flare-Ups Through Physical Therapy
Physical therapy is a cornerstone of arthritis management, offering a range of benefits to help you cope with flare-ups and improve your overall quality of life. Here are four key ways physical therapy can make a difference:
Pain Management
Our PTs utilize various techniques, such as manual therapy and therapeutic exercises, to reduce pain and manage inflammation during flare-ups. These interventions help to relax muscles, improve blood flow, and promote healing.
Improved Range of Motion and Mobility
Arthritis often leads to joint stiffness and decreased mobility. Our PTs use targeted exercises to increase range of motion and improve your overall mobility so that daily activities become easier and less painful.
Strengthening Exercises
Weak muscles can contribute to joint instability and pain. We design targeted exercise programs to strengthen the muscles surrounding affected joints, providing better support and reducing stress on the joints.
Functional Training
An important part of physical therapy is helping patients relearn how to perform daily activities safely and efficiently, minimizing pain and maximizing function. We may also prescribe assistive devices or modify the environment to make the home and workplace more arthritis-friendly.
Help Coping With Arthritis Flare-Ups At Nebraska Orthopaedic Physical Therapy
Your first physical therapy appointment will involve a comprehensive evaluation, so your therapist can gather information about your medical history, symptoms, and functional limitations. Then, we’ll conduct a physical examination to assess your range of motion, strength, and pain levels. Based on this evaluation, your therapist will develop a personalized treatment plan tailored to your specific needs and goals for coping with arthritis flare-ups.
Call today to schedule an appointment and discover how physical therapy can help you manage your pain, improve your function, and regain your independence.
