Millions of individuals struggle with arthritis pain and stiffness. Many arthritis sufferers follow several steps each day just to relieve their relieve stiff and achy joints. Physical therapy can be part of an effective plan to ease your pain while also remaining active. Contact Nebraska Orthopaedic Physical Therapy our office today to find out how a physical therapy program can lessen arthritis pain or even eliminate it altogether!
Choosing the right foods:
Nutrition can play a crucial role in easing arthritis pain and discomfort. Besides avoiding MSG, refined carbs, and sugary foods that increase inflammation, you’ll also want to add some specific foods to your diet that can help ease your arthritis pain. These include:
- Walnuts. Much like the nutrients, you find in fish, walnuts are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which can reduce inflammation. Walnuts can be eaten alone or added to almost any sweet or salty dish.
- Broccoli. Broccoli has an ingredient called sulforaphane, which has the ability to slow down or even prevent osteoarthritis. Broccoli is great served hot or cold, in salads, or as a casserole.
- Ginger. Ginger may be able to help reduce inflammation and alleviate arthritis pain. It also adds incredible flavor to almost any food, including soups, fruits, veggies, and meat.
- Soy. Soy is high in protein and low in fat, and it is also a great-tasting way to fight inflammation. You can get your soy through tofu, soy milk, or roasted soybeans.
Staying physically active through physical therapy:
While exercise won’t reverse arthritis, it can help slow its progression and ease painful symptoms. Sticking with a regular exercise routine that’s provided by your physical therapist can also help you maintain a healthy body weight, which will ease the strain on your joints. A physical therapist can show you several types of stretches and exercises that address your affected joints and help you find relief.
Physical therapy may also help you avoid taking excessive amounts of medication in order to reduce your pain. A physical therapist is trained to evaluate your condition and provide the correct exercises to meet your needs. A common physical therapy exercise for arthritis patients is aquatic therapy, as working out in water allows for soothing a non-impact exercise. A physical therapist may also recommend working out in a heated pool, in order to help relieve the pain in your arthritic joints.
Working with a physical therapist:
A physical therapy treatment program can ease the pain from arthritis and help improve your daily life. Working with a physical therapist can help you achieve the following goals:
- Strengthening your muscles. When the muscles that surround and support your aching joints are stronger and more flexible, your arthritis pain will be much less severe. Physical therapy techniques can be used to increase strength, which in turn will relieve pain.
- Increasing your range of motion. A physical therapy program can help reduce stiffness by keeping both your muscles and ligaments loose. This will lessen your pain and improve your overall range of mobility.
- Learning how to correctly use devices. A trained physical therapist can help you learn how to use orthotics, walkers, and any other assistive device correctly. This will help lessen the strain on joints when you move and ensure that you are using the devices safely.
Understanding a physical therapist’s methods:
A qualified physical therapist may use several treatment methods in order to help relieve arthritic pain. For example, a physical therapist may use massage as a way to loosen up the muscles and tendons that surround your arthritic joints. Physical therapy treatments might also include the use of ice packs and ice baths, in order to reduce inflammation. Your physical therapist may also use heating pads, as well as other heat methods to loosen up your tight muscles. Laser or ultrasound treatments may also be used to provide relief, as your physical therapist deems fit.
A qualified physical therapist can put together an individualized program to help reduce your arthritis pain and keep you as active as possible. Physical therapy is an excellent way to keep your joints, tendons, and muscles working together efficiently. Contact our office today to see how physical therapy can help you relieve your arthritis symptoms and live a pain-free life!
