Physical Therapy For Arthritis: Help, When Your Aches And Pains Cut Into Your Daily Routine

Arthritis, although a common ailment, has no specific cure. Whether you're struck by a specific form, such as osteoarthritis, or your bones and joints are simply suffering the effects of time and use, it's a very frustrating disease to have, because there's no specific cure that can make it go away.

One way you may be able to mute some of your symptoms is through physical therapy (PT). Especially if arthritis is now cutting into your daily routine, forcing you to do less or change how you do what you can, physical therapy may be a way to get some of your movement, strength and flexibility back. Here's how:

1. Developing An Individualized Plan, Specifically For You

Unlike medicine, which is a one-size-fits-all remedy, your physical therapy plan is customized to your body and your needs. If you have an aching knee, for example, there are stretches and exercises which can beef-up certain muscle groups, potentially limiting your pain and discomfort. Physical therapy can also help you adapt to aging in general, and the different ways it changes your abilities and tolerance for activities.

As needed, a PT program can be updated, to suit your changing needs, in light of progress, injury and other influences. A program designed just for you takes all important factors into consideration, such as your age, weight, schedule, daily workload and more. You have a voice in that program, too, making it all the more appealing, in both the short and long-terms.

2. Discovering The Best Supports, Shoes And Other Helpful Equipment

Ask your physical therapist about certain shoes, inserts, braces or walking aides that can help you get through your daily routine more easily, and with less pain. Some devices are designed to absorb impact, making walking and related tasks more viable, while other devices will actually change the way your bones and joints hold together. No matter what you need, though, sometimes an assist device can make a major difference in your quality of life; physical therapists know which one's will work best for you.

3. Teaching You Better Posture

Good posture is essential to healthy bones, especially as you age and most especially if you have arthritis. The training a therapist puts you through can help you maintain better posture, thereby easing the amount of unnecessary strain your joints and skeletal system undergo.

4. Making You More Aware Of The Best Diets For Arthritis

Your physical therapy regimen will also include solid nutritional advice. Food is the body's fuel and if you don't watch what you eat, you may inadvertently compound your problems with arthritis.

5. Guiding You On A Practical Weight Loss Plan

Whether you're in pain or just uncomfortable moving around, it's all too easy to put weight on, but that, unfortunately, contributes further to the bone and joint complications you're experiencing. Arthritis presents patients with an unwavering catch-22 of gaining weight due to lack of movement, when the movement they need causes so much stress and pain. A physical therapist will gradually work your body up to the point where moderate exercise is something you can tolerate; hence, allowing you a fighting chance to maintain a healthier weight.

Arthritis is difficult to live with, especially if you're not interested in taking strong, potentially addictive medications. Physical therapy, particularly over the long-term, provides an effective way to cope and heal, hopefully returning you to the daily routine you've been missing. Contact a clinic, like Town Center Orthopaedic Associates, P.C., for more help.