Soothing The Ache: How Physical Therapy Can Help Individuals with Arthritis

What is Arthritis?

Normally, the end surfaces of bones that form joints are covered in cartilage. This cartilage minimizes friction within the joint and allows smooth movement to occur. Through wear-and-tear (osteoarthritis), immune system disorders (rheumatoid arthritis), or blood borne diseases/infections (lupus, psoriasis, or gout) this cartilage lining within the joint becomes damaged which results in increased friction. The symptoms that are associated with arthritis are: pain, stiffness, swelling, redness and ultimately decreased range of motion. As Arthritis progresses, daily tasks can become more difficult, weight bearing joints can become more painful, and, in severe cases, the joint can become deformed.

How Can Physical Therapy Help?

Physical therapists primary objective with all patients is to achieve, optimize, and maintain functional movement that is used during everyday life, such as going up and down stairs, getting out of a chair, or participating in recreational activities. Physical therapy helps individuals with arthritis by increasing and/or maintaining range of motion, increasing strength of muscles that support the joint, and utilizing proper body mechanics to reduce the amount of friction that occurs within the joint.

Movement can be painful with those who have arthritis which is a direct result of the increased friction; however, as joints move they secrete a natural lubricant known as synovial fluid which progressively decreases discomfort as they continue to move. This gives validity to the phrase “Motion is lotion.” As individuals actively engage in physical activity it has been shown that their threshold for pain increases; meaning they experience pain less frequently or at a decreased intensity.

Arthritis Found on X-ray

Over 80% of individuals that are over the age of 55 have radiographic evidence of Arthritis. If this happens to you remember the following: Does it feel stiff? Is it constantly swollen? Do you regularly experience? And most importantly, does it hurt? If you answer no to any of these questions you may not need to seek treatment immediately; however, preventative measures should be taken to preserve joint heath and maintain function.

Conclusion

Although your joints may feel stiff, it is important to remain physically active to increase/maintain range of motion, strengthen muscles surrounding the effected joint, and utilize proper body mechanics to decrease pain and improve/maintain function. Physical Therapists can be instrumental in designing and administering appropriate exercise programs to optimize function and decrease pain which ultimately improves your quality of life.

If conservative treatments are unsuccessful a specialist may need to be consulted to discuss surgical interventions. But it is important to try physical therapy FIRST, because surgery is NOT the only solution.

References

Anderson, C. H. 21 Tips from Physical Therapists to Make Arthritis More Manageable. Creeky Joints Website. https://creakyjoints.org/living-with-arthritis/physical-therapist-tips-for-arthritis/. April 12, 2019. Accessed February 4, 2020.

Arthritis. The Mayo Clinic Website. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/arthritis/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20350777. July 19, 2019. Accessed February 4, 2020.

Doherty, M., Abhishek, A. Patient Education: Osteoarthritis Symptoms and Diagnosis (Beyond the Basics). UpToDate website. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/osteoarthritis-symptoms-and-diagnosis-beyond-the-basics/print. June 18, 2019. Accessed February 4, 2020.

Physical Therapy for Arthritis. Arthritis Foundation Website. https://www.arthritis.org/health-wellness/treatment/complementary-therapies/physical-therapies/physical-therapy-for-arthritis. Accessed February 4, 2020.