Take a Proactive Approach To Arthritis Pain With Physical Therapy

Take a Proactive Approach To Arthritis Pain With Physical Therapy

Have you recently learned that your persistent joint pain is the result of arthritis? For many, this can be a challenging discovery, as the most common forms of arthritis have no known cures. But rest assured that you do not have to spend your life living with debilitating joint pain — physical therapy can help!

Arthritis refers to several conditions that cause joint inflammation, leading to its two primary symptoms: pain and mobility restriction. The most common form of arthritis, osteoarthritis, can cause pain during movement. It’s no surprise, then, that many people with arthritis wind up avoiding physical activity.

In reality, regular physical activity is one of the best ways to manage arthritis pain. Physical activity can also help delay the progression of arthritis — and help you avoid surgery.

As movement experts, the team at ProTailored Physical Therapy is well-equipped to help you manage your arthritis pain. The physical therapy approach to arthritis management focuses on drug-free pain relief and regular movement. Best of all, it allows you to take a proactive role in your treatment.

Let’s look at what happens when you exercise regularly with arthritis — and what happens when you don’t. And if you’d like to learn more, call us to schedule an appointment today!

Got Arthritis? What To Expect If You Skip Regular Exercise

1. Your muscles will weaken:

One of the big benefits of exercise is that it builds muscle mass. If you don’t exercise regularly, your muscle mass will decrease — especially if you’re older, as muscle mass naturally decreases as we age.

What does this mean if you have arthritis? Without strong muscles, your impacted joints don’t get the strength and stability they need to function, which puts even more stress on them — and means more pain in the long run.

2. Your joints will get stiffer:

Our bodies are made to move, and when we don’t move them frequently enough, our joints don’t get the lubrication they need to run properly. This is as true for people with arthritis as it is for anyone else. Plus, since arthritis causes joint stiffness, not moving will only worsen your symptoms.

3. You increase your risk of injury:

When you don’t exercise, you start to lose everyday abilities like balance, stability, and coordination. You can also develop muscular imbalances, improper biomechanics, or postural issues, all of which increase your odds of suffering an injury.

What Happens When You Do Exercise With Arthritis

You’ll experience less pain: While it’s true that activity can initially worsen arthritis pain, regular exercise will decrease your pain symptoms over time.
You’ll experience fewer mobility restrictions: Just as regular exercise can decrease pain, it will also help improve your range of motion — meaning you can move more easily.
The progression of your arthritis may slow: Both osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis — the two most common forms of arthritis — will gradually worsen over time and may eventually require you to undergo surgery. Exercising won’t cure arthritis, but it will slow the damage to your joints.
You may feel more empowered: Living with a chronic condition is hard. Regular exercise can help you feel like you’re taking an active role in managing your condition and reducing your pain.
You’ll experience other physical and mental benefits: Exercise offers many benefits beyond pain management. It can improve mood and quality of sleep, protect you from heart disease and diabetes, and help you stay active and independent well into old age.

Ready To Start Exercising? ProTailored Physical Therapy Can Help!

While the benefits of regular exercise for arthritis are undeniable, getting started can be challenging. Which movements are safe for you to perform? Which will provide you with the most benefits? What should you do if even simple movement is too painful?

This is where our physical therapists shine! We’ll create a customized arthritis treatment plan that speaks to your needs and abilities. Here’s a taste of all that we can offer:

Acute pain management using manual techniques and pain relieving modalities
Personalized exercise programs with targeted, progressive exercises that build strength and improve mobility
Specialized exercise programs to address balance and other functional challenges
Guidance on general exercise programs to keep you moving outside our clinic

Don’t let arthritis keep you from living an active, healthy lifestyle. Call us today to find out more about our arthritis treatment programs!

Stronger Joints, Less Pain

Ready to feel your best again? Come back to ProTailored Physical Therapy and let us help you achieve your wellness goals — book your appointment today!

Click Here to Schedule Your Appointment!

Therapist Spotlight:

Dr. Katlin Couchman,
OTR/L, OTD, CEES, PDNC, PMC

Favorite way to spend a day off?

Outdoor family activity ~ parks / pools / trails

If you had a theme song, what would it be?

Gratitude, Brandon Lake

Favorite local spots?

The Hive, Little local parks, The Fort Wayne Zoo

If you came with a warning label, what would it say?

Caution: Comes with hot drink in hand

Fresh, light, and full of flavor, these Smoked Salmon, Avocado, and Cucumber Bites make the perfect refreshing snack or appetizer. With creamy avocado and savory salmon on crisp cucumber, they’re a delicious bite you’ll want to make again and again.

Enjoy This Healthy Recipe!

Smoked Salmon, Avocado and Cucumber Bites

1 medium cucumber
1 large avocado, peeled and pit removed
1/2 tbsp lime juice
6 oz smoked salmon
chives, for garnish
black pepper, for garnish

Slice the cucumber approximately 1/4-inch thick and lay flat on a serving plate.

Add the avocado and lime juice to a bowl and use a fork to mash until creamy. Assemble the bites by spreading a small amount of avocado on each cucumber, then topping with a thin slice of smoked salmon. Garnish each bite with finely chopped chives and cracked black pepper. Serve immediately.

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Exercise of the Month

MEDIAN NERVE GLIDE

Stand tall with your arm extended in front of you at shoulder height, palm facing up. Use your opposite hand to gently grasp your thumb. Slowly extend your wrist and fingers back. Return to the starting position with control. Perform the motion gently and smoothly.

3 Sets, 10 Reps (each arm).

Family-Friendly Spring Activities

Try a New Outdoor Sport

As it begins to warm up, try picking up a new outdoor sport such as biking, rollerblading, hiking, golfing, fishing, or kayaking. These are all fun things you can do to get your blood pumping and introduce more physical activity into your routine after sitting at home for so many months!

Visit an Outdoor Farmers Market

If you love fresh and locally grown fruits and vegetables, a farmers market might be right up your alley! Visiting an outdoor farmers market gives you a chance to get some fresh air and hand-select the best produce, jams, preserves, and jellies for you to take home to try.

Go See a Drive-In Movie

This is a great spring activity, especially because you can roll down your windows and enjoy a nice breeze as you watch on the big screen. You could even invite people outside of your household to park their car near yours so you can watch it together.

Break Out the Gardening Tools

Do you love gardening and growing your vegetables, herbs, and flowers? If so, spring is calling your name! It’s time to roll up your sleeves and get your knees dirty in the backyard. Gardening is a great spring activity that provides some physical activity, and an excuse to get fresh air. Make sure to start with great soil and research the types of flowers and foods that grow the best in your climate.

Take a Scenic Drive

So many parts of nature come back to life in the spring, so why not take a scenic drive now and then to get out of the house? Try getting off the interstate and going the long way around to see some trees, fields, or parks – just make sure you have a GPS or know how to get home safely!

Make the Most of this Spring

We all deserve to enjoy spring for what it is: a new beginning. Try some of these fun activities to add a bit of joy to your daily routine!

Our Patients Get Great Results

“ProTailored has several locations around Fort Wayne. I have been very impressed with their service, and have recommended them to family and friends. They only work with one patient at a time, and they are doctors who are capable of using multiple modalities when something different is needed. I can’t recommend them highly enough.”

– Catherine P.

Refer a Friend

Our purpose at ProTailored Physical Therapy is to leave a greater impact on the community around us. In order to achieve our goal we want to change as many lives as possible as we become a beacon of positivity in our community.

Click Here to Refer a Friend!