Physical Therapy Can Help You With Osteoarthritis
Arthritis is an unforgiving disease that affects people of all ages across the globe. According to the Arthritis Foundation, approximately 50 million people live with arthritis, and one-third of those people claim that living with arthritis pain limits their ability to enjoy life as they normally would.
Although there are certainly plenty of over-the-counter medications available for pain management, physical therapy is the most natural and safe solution to the problems that arthritis presents.
If you are living with arthritic aches and pains, consider the benefits of physical therapy services over pain-management medication.
Statistics reveal the benefits of physical therapy for osteoarthritis
Although there is no cure for arthritis, a Hampstead Topsail Physical Therapy or Sneads Ferry Physical Therapy physical therapist can provide lasting pain relief while helping you regain as much function as possible in the affected area(s) of the body.
Physical therapists are trained movement specialists who are experts at not only treating arthritis pain but also at determining the underlying cause of it. ChoosePT states that “Physical therapists help patients understand OA and its complications, provide treatments to lessen pain and improve movement.”
A study published by the Journal of Rheumatology titled “Physical therapy is effective for patients with osteoarthritis of the knee: a randomized controlled clinical trial” was performed to assess the effectiveness of physical therapy in terms of pain, physical function, and health-related quality of life for patients with knee osteoarthritis.
It was concluded that “physical therapy, either as an individually delivered treatment or in a small group format, is an effective intervention for patients with knee OA.”
In another study published by the National Institutes of Health, titled “Strength Training for Arthritis Trial (START): design and rationale,” the topic of physical therapy (specifically strength training) for knee osteoarthritis pain is covered.
It details the importance of how high-intensity strength training with a physical therapist will provide effective treatment for patients living with the pains of knee osteoarthritis.
The authors state “in addition to short-term clinical benefits, combining greater duration with high-intensity strength training will alter thigh composition sufficiently to attain long-term reductions in knee-joint forces, lower pain levels, decrease inflammatory cytokines, and slow OA progression.”
Choose Hampstead Topsail Physical Therapy or Sneads Ferry Physical Therapy for your Osteoporosis Relief!
One of our therapists will conduct a thorough analysis of your arthritic condition and may perform tests to determine the full extent of your joint movement, muscle strength, and overall function.
This will allow our physical therapist to pinpoint your problem areas and create a unique treatment plan that is specific to your needs and pain symptoms while keeping you from developing reliance on medications.
If you are living with arthritis, rest assure there is relief available without the use of harmful medications. Request an appointment at Hampstead Topsail Physical Therapy or Sneads Ferry Physical Therapy today.
