Physical Therapy for Arthritis Pain
Arthritis can make everyday movement more difficult, from walking and climbing stairs to exercising, working, or doing the activities you enjoy. Joint pain and stiffness can lead you to move less, but staying active and maintaining strength and mobility are important parts of managing arthritis.
Physical therapy can help people with arthritis improve strength, flexibility, and joint mobility, manage pain and stiffness, and continue participating in the activities that matter to them. At Lattimore Physical Therapy, treatment is personalized to your symptoms, abilities, and goals so you can move with greater confidence and maintain an active lifestyle.
What Is Arthritis?
Arthritis is a broad term used to describe conditions that cause pain, stiffness, swelling, or reduced mobility in one or more joints. It can affect people of different ages and activity levels and may involve the knees, hips, shoulders, hands, wrists, feet, ankles, and other joints throughout the body.
There are many types of arthritis, and the symptoms, causes, and appropriate treatment can vary depending on the type and the joints affected.
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis. It develops as the structures within a joint change over time, affecting cartilage, bone and surrounding tissues. These changes can contribute to pain, stiffness and reduced range of motion.
Although osteoarthritis becomes more common with age, joint injuries, genetics and other factors can also influence its development. Symptoms can range from mild and occasional to persistent enough to interfere with everyday movement and activities.
Other Types of Arthritis
Not all arthritis is osteoarthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis and other inflammatory or autoimmune conditions can also affect the joints.
Physical therapy does not treat the underlying autoimmune disease, but it may be an important part of managing its effects on strength, mobility, balance and physical function as part of a broader care plan.
Common Symptoms of Arthritis
Arthritis can affect everyone differently. Common symptoms may include:
- Joint pain or tenderness
- Stiffness, particularly after periods of inactivity
- Reduced range of motion
- Swelling around a joint
- Muscle weakness
- Difficulty walking, climbing stairs or completing everyday activities
- Difficulty participating in exercise, work or recreational activities
Symptoms can also change over time. Some people experience relatively consistent limitations, while others have periods when their symptoms are more noticeable.
What Causes Arthritis?
The causes and risk factors for arthritis vary depending on the type.
Osteoarthritis involves changes within the joint that develop over time. Factors such as age, previous joint injuries, genetics, and repeated stress on a joint may influence a person’s likelihood of developing osteoarthritis.
Other forms of arthritis, including rheumatoid arthritis, are associated with autoimmune or inflammatory processes and have different underlying causes.
Because joint pain and stiffness can have many possible causes, an appropriate diagnosis can help determine the best approach to managing your symptoms.
How Can Arthritis Affect Movement and Daily Life?
Arthritis isn’t only about joint pain. Stiffness, weakness, and reduced mobility can gradually make everyday activities more difficult.
Depending on the joints affected, you may notice difficulty with:
- Walking or standing for longer periods
- Going up and down stairs
- Getting in and out of a chair
- Bending, reaching or lifting
- Exercising or playing sports
- Completing work or household activities
- Keeping up with hobbies and recreational activities
Reducing activity because of discomfort can also contribute to weakness and decreased mobility over time. Finding appropriate ways to remain active can therefore be an important part of managing arthritis.
Can Physical Therapy Help With Arthritis?
Physical therapy can help many people with arthritis manage symptoms and improve their ability to move and function.
Rather than focusing only on the painful joint, your physical therapist will evaluate how your strength, flexibility, range of motion, balance and movement patterns may be contributing to the difficulties you’re experiencing.
Your treatment plan will depend on your individual needs and may focus on improving joint mobility, strengthening the muscles that support affected joints, increasing flexibility, and helping you find comfortable ways to remain active.
The goal is not simply to address pain, but to help you move better and continue doing the things that are important to you.
Physical Therapy Treatments for Arthritis
Your physical therapy program will be individualized based on the joints affected, your symptoms, and your goals. Treatment may include a combination of the following approaches.
Therapeutic Exercise
Therapeutic exercise can be used to improve strength, flexibility, mobility, and overall function. Strengthening the muscles surrounding an affected joint can provide additional support, while mobility and flexibility exercises can help address stiffness and maintain comfortable movement.
Manual Therapy
Manual therapy includes hands-on techniques that a physical therapist may use to help improve joint and soft-tissue mobility, address stiffness, and make movement more comfortable.
Therapeutic Modalities
Depending on your symptoms and treatment plan, your physical therapist may incorporate appropriate therapeutic modalities alongside exercise and hands-on treatment to help manage symptoms and support your rehabilitation.
Aquatic Therapy
For some people with arthritis, aquatic therapy provides an opportunity to exercise and improve mobility in a reduced-weight-bearing environment. The support and warmth of the water can make movement more comfortable for people who have difficulty exercising on land.
Aquatic therapy is available at our White Spruce clinic.
When Should You See a Physical Therapist for Arthritis?
Consider seeing a physical therapist if arthritis pain or stiffness is beginning to interfere with your ability to move comfortably or participate in your normal activities.
Physical therapy may be especially helpful if you are:
- Becoming less active because of joint pain or stiffness
- Having difficulty walking, climbing stairs, or completing daily activities
- Experiencing decreased strength or mobility
- Returning to activity after a period of inactivity
- Preparing for or recovering from joint surgery
- Looking for safe ways to remain active while managing arthritis
You don’t have to wait until arthritis significantly limits your activity to begin addressing changes in strength or mobility.
Find Physical Therapy for Arthritis Near You
Arthritis may change how you move, but it doesn’t have to keep you from doing the things you enjoy.
At Lattimore Physical Therapy, our physical therapists provide personalized, hands-on care designed around your individual needs and goals. We’ll work with you to improve your strength, mobility, and function so you can stay active and move with greater confidence.