Arthritis is a debilitating disorder that affects millions of people across the country and is one of the leading causes of disability today. In fact, approximately 1 in 5 Americans live with some form of arthritis.
There are two main classifications of arthritis: osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
Osteoarthritis occurs from wear and tear damage on the articular cartilage at the ends of bone that eventually lead to chronic inflammation and swelling that affect joint mobility. Once cartilage is diminished, then bone moves over bone with no protective layer of cartilage leading to the surface of the bone to become diminished and inflamed.
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disorder where your own body cells attack the lining of the joints causing chronic inflammation, swelling and pain. This chronic inflammation soon leads to bone erosion and joint deformity. Common side effects include joint swelling/stiffness, particularly with prolonged inactivity, and pain.
Physical therapy can help in the management of arthritis by improving the strength and stability of a joint through therapeutic exercises. Exercise lead to improved mobility and strength and better performance of daily functional activities.
Manual techniques such as joint mobilizations help improve joint swelling and mobility to improve functional activity performance. Proper management of this disorder can lead to improvement in quality of life and ability to perform daily activities without debilitating pain.
If you or someone you care for is suffering from an arthritic condition and looking for a sustainable treatment option, schedule an appointment with one of our expert therapist today: Request An Appointment
