Discover the Ways Physical Therapy Can Help You Find Natural Relief
Many people believe they are bound to suffer with arthritis pain despite the fact that stiffness and discomfort do not have to be a part of our daily life.
If you’ve been losing mobility and productivity as a result of chronic joint inflammation, you may be dissatisfied with the effectiveness of painkillers or concerned about their possible risks.
Physical therapy, fortunately, is a safer and more effective way to treat arthritis pain. To learn more about physical therapy and its benefits, contact our Laramie, WY clinic today to schedule your first appointment!
Common types of arthritis
Arthritis is a term that refers to a group of painful joint disorders. It might manifest as painful gout in a toe joint in some people, while it can manifest as a bacterial joint infection in others. The majority of arthritis sufferers, on the other hand, have one of two painful conditions:
- Osteoarthritis is the most prevalent type of arthritis, and it is usually the result of a lifetime of joint mobility combined with particular changes that occur as people age.
Healthy joints have a layer of cartilage that works as a shock absorber and anti-friction component, as well as a lubricating fluid to keep the bone ends moving smoothly. The creation of lubricating fluid, on the other hand, might dry up with time, causing the cartilage to become thinner and more worn until it eventually breaks down completely. This causes pain, stiffness, and inflammation in the joint, which usually gets worse when you try to move or put weight on it. - Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune illness or malfunction that causes arthritis. The same defense mechanisms that ordinarily combat disease germs opt to target your joints, treating them as the enemy. This causes severe inflammation that comes and goes, resulting in joint swelling and deformity.
Many arthritis patients turn to medication in the hopes of alleviating their symptoms. NSAIDs, steroids, and (in the most severe situations) opiate medicines can all provide temporary relief. These medications can’t solve the medical problems that are causing your symptoms; they can only mask them.
Furthermore, if painkillers and anti-inflammatory medicines are used frequently, they can have serious side effects. Internal organ damage can be caused by NSAIDs, while steroids can cause everything from cataracts to osteoporosis. Opioids are exceedingly dangerous, not just because they are addictive, but also because overdoses can (and frequently do) result in death.
Why you shouldn’t depend on pills for arthritis pain relief
Both opioid prescription rates and deaths from opioid overdoses have quadrupled in the last two decades. Given these identical statistics, one can’t escape the obvious conclusion: Reliance on painkillers has gotten out of hand, and the consequences can be literally fatal.
In a study published by the American Physical Therapy Association, titled “Beyond Opioids: How Physical Therapy Can Transform Pain Management and Improve Health,” this issue is exhaustively analyzed. It identifies three important waves of the opioid epidemic:
“1. Increases in deaths involving prescription opioids starting in 1999
2. Increases in deaths involving heroin starting in 2010
3. Increases in deaths involving synthetic opioids since 2013”
In addition to putting your health at danger, overusing prescription opioids can have additional negative consequences.
Withdrawal symptoms can be quite distressing. Opioids can also contribute to depression while you’re still using them, which can lead to a vicious cycle of self-medicating in order to feel better emotionally as well as physically.
How will physical therapy help my arthritis?
Turn to physical therapy in Laramie, WY for an arthritis pain management plan that improves your health without exposing you to the risks of medicines. Our physical therapist can evaluate your joints to determine the extent of your arthritis and how it is impacting your stance, gait, and mobility. After that, you’ll get a pain management plan that includes things like:
- Exercise – Exercise can aid arthritis sufferers by boosting circulation, easing inflammation, strengthening joint tissues and increasing range of motion. It can help you improve your balance, if that’s become a problem for you.
- Lifestyle guidance – Your physical therapist can recommend specific changes to your everyday ergonomics or lifestyle that will ease your pain.
- Physiotherapy techniques – You may benefit from massage therapy, cold/heat therapy or laser therapy.
- Corrective devices – Your physical therapist can recommend specialized insoles and train you in the use of devices such as walkers or canes.
Say “no more!” to arthritis pain and discomfort
Don’t just numb your arthritis pain – manage it the smart, safe, and effective way. Contact our physical therapy clinic in Laramie, WY today and set up an appointment with one of our skilled therapists ASAP! We’re here to help you on your path to finding the pain relief you deserve.