Arthritis is a condition caused by inflammation in the joints. It leads to severe pain and swelling between the bones. When the joints are overused or when high pressure is applied to the joints, it results in arthritis pain.

 

The primary symptom of arthritis is the pain and stiffness caused in the joints. People of all ages get arthritis and it is most common in women. According to arthritis.org, more than 50 million adults and 3 lakh children suffer from any one of the arthritis types in the United States. 

 

Arthritis patients may experience a decrease in mobility as the disease progresses, but physical therapy can effectively treat the symptoms and improve the range of motion, thus speeding up the arthritis pain relief process.

Causes of Arthritis

More than a hundred different types of arthritis prevail, but the most common ones are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

 

Osteoarthritis is caused due to the wear and tear of cartilage, a soft connective tissue located between the bones of the joints. The cartilage acts as a protective cushion for the joints and saves them from the extreme pressure or stress placed on them. When an injury occurs or as people age, the amount of cartilage tissue gets reduced, leading to friction between the bones. This results in osteoarthritis.

 

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease in which the human body’s immune system attacks the synovial membrane. This membrane is a fluid that lubricates the joints. As arthritis progresses, the membrane swells and thickens, thus resulting in the production of excess synovial fluid. This leads to further swelling and inflammation, causing pain and stiffness in the joints.

 

Other types of arthritis are juvenile idiopathic arthritis affecting children, psoriatic arthritis, gout, and ankylosing spondylitis. The common symptoms of arthritis include redness and swelling, joint stiffness, severe pain in the knees, hands, and hips, sleep difficulties, and weakness.

Risk Factor for Arthritis

If any one of the family members suffers from arthritis, then there is a high risk of getting the condition. If you are a woman, who is overweight or obese, you have a high risk of getting knee osteoarthritis. Persons who play sports regularly may put extra strain on their joints, thus developing the risk of arthritis. 

Physical Therapy for Arthritis Pain Relief

Physical therapy is the most effective treatment in treating arthritis by locating the primary source of joint pain and treating patients accordingly. The following are the different physical therapy modalities preferred by physical therapists in promoting arthritis pain relief.

 

1) Therapeutic Exercises

Even though arthritis causes severe pain in the joints and limits the patients’ ability to perform regular activities independently, patients should not take complete rest. It further increases their symptoms and restricts the recovery process. Hence, physical therapists examine the deteriorated joints and recommend them to perform therapeutic exercises.

 

Arthritis patients can begin with low-impact exercises like walking, cycling, tai chi, and water aerobics that help obese patients manage their weight which is a primary cause of knee osteoarthritis.

 

Stretching helps increase flexibility, improve the range of motion in the joints, and reduce joint stiffness. Exercises can reduce the symptoms of damaged cartilage that cause friction between the bones. They also help to strengthen the muscles and provide support to the joints.

 

2) Heat and Cold Therapy

Physical therapists prefer these methods alternatively before proceeding to therapeutic exercises. Heat therapy promotes circulation and improves the adequate flow of oxygen and nutrients to the affected joints, thus reducing pain, muscle tension and increasing the range of motion. Heating pads or heated gel packs are used to carry out heat therapy. Older patients can take a warm morning shower that helps in easing morning stiffness, which is one of the common symptoms of arthritis.

 

Cold therapy slows down the blood flow and narrows the blood vessels. An ice pack wrapped in towels can be used to carry out cold therapy, and ice should not be applied directly to the skin as it can cause damage to the skin or underlying tissues. Cold therapy speeds the recovery process, reduces inflammation, and promotes arthritis pain relief.

 

3) Bracing

Physical therapists suggest the use of braces around the affected area, such as the knees. Arthritis patients may experience joint swelling while performing therapeutic exercises. Bracing acts as a support for the joints, thus providing compression and reducing swelling and pain. It helps the patients to achieve their regular activities with ease and can reduce further injuries.

 

4) Acupuncture

Acupuncture needles transfer signals along the spinal cord to the brain. It stimulates the release of neurotransmitters called endorphins which are the natural painkillers of the human body. Several people who have undergone acupuncture treatment for arthritis have reported an increase in the quality of their everyday life.

 

5) Massage Therapy

Massage therapy promotes arthritis pain relief by improving blood circulation to the arthritic joints. It is effective in reducing pain, inflammation, and muscle stiffness. Physical therapists mostly prefer petrissage massage therapy to treat arthritis pain. In this technique, the skin is lifted up, pressed down, squeezed, and rolled to lengthen the tissues connected to the muscles. This process stimulates the circulation of fresh blood, promotes relaxation, and reduces pain.

Summary

Arthritis is one of the most common health conditions, mainly affecting older adults and women. The most common arthritis types are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Physical therapy effectively treats arthritis. 

 

Physical therapists recommend therapeutic exercises because arthritis patients often keep the affected areas in a bent position to get temporary pain relief. This leads to a reduced range of motion, which can be increased with the help of exercises.

 

The other treatment methods include massage therapy, heat, and cold therapy, acupuncture. Physical therapy improves mobility, regains the function of affected joints, provides support to the joints, and improves the patients’ quality of life.