Feeling Stiff and Achy? Arthritis May Be To Blame. Physical Therapy Can Help.

Are stiffness and discomfort a part of your daily life? Many people answer “yes” to this question but assume that they’re doomed to suffer from arthritis pain.

If you’ve been losing more and more of your mobility and productivity due to chronic joint inflammation, you may be disappointed to find out the truth about over-the-counter painkilling drugs or even alarmed by the potential dangers of such drugs.

Before we give you the facts about these medications, know that there is fortunately another alternative to their harmful side effects. If you’re seeking pain relief, you have a safer, more effective path toward arthritis pain management: physical therapy.

How does arthritis pain happen, and why?

An entire family of debilitating joint disorders falls under the condition of arthritis. It can take the form of painful gout in a toe joint for some individuals; in others, it may strike due to an infection of the bacterial joint. However, the bulk of arthritis suffers from one of two agonizing conditions:

Osteoarthritis – This most common type of arthritis, combined with some changes that take place during aging, is typically a natural consequence of a lifetime of joint movement. Safe joints not only provide a lubricating fluid to keep the ends of the bone moving smoothly, but also a cartilage layer that serves as a part of shock absorption and anti-friction. Over time, however, the lubricating fluid output can begin to dry up, as the cartilage becomes thinner and wearier until it eventually breaks down completely. If you try to shift or place weight on the joint, this leaves you with discomfort, swelling, and inflammation that typically feels worse.
Rheumatoid arthritis – An auto-immune disorder or dysfunction that triggers this type of arthritis. The same defensive mechanisms that usually battle off germs of disease decide to turn on your joints, perceive and assault them as the enemy. This leads to painful inflammation which can come and go, leaving in its wake joint swelling and deformity.

The danger of opioids

“Roughly 21 to 29 percent of patients prescribed opioids for chronic pain misuse them. Between 8 and 12 percent develop an opioid use disorder. An estimated 4 to 6 percent who misuse prescription opioids transition to heroin.” (Drugabuse.gov)

In the expectation that it will relieve their symptoms, many arthritis sufferers inevitably turn to medicine. NSAIDs, steroids, (and in the most serious cases) opioid drugs can briefly, produce such relief. The physical conditions that ultimately cause your symptoms can’t be treated by these drugs; they can only silence the symptoms themselves.

Moreover, if used constantly, painkilling and anti-inflammatory drugs may pose major risks. Your inner organs may be harmed by NSAIDs, while steroids may lead to anything from cataracts to osteoporosis. Not only because of their addictive effects, opioids can be highly harmful, but also because overdoses can (and sometimes do) prove fatal.

Why choose physical therapy over opioids?

If you want a pain relief plan for arthritis that improves your health without posing the risks of medications to you, turn to physical therapy for help. Physical therapy is a holistic, safe, and effective way to manage arthritis pain symptoms.

Our physical therapist will examine your joints to see how advanced your arthritis has become and how your posture, gait, or mobility can be affected by it. From there, you will receive a tailored plan for pain control that may include:

Physical therapy techniques – You may benefit from massage therapy, cold/heat therapy, manual therapy, aquatic therapy, or laser therapy.
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.
Corrective devices – Your physical therapist can recommend specialized insoles and train you in the use of devices such as walkers or canes.
Lifestyle guidance – Your physical therapist can recommend specific changes to your everyday ergonomics or lifestyle that will ease your pain.

Working with a physical therapist can help you to target the areas of pain and improve the range of motion, helping the joint to function optimally and helping you to experience less pain as a result.

What are you waiting for?

Long-term use of opioid-based pain medications can lead to a whole additional set of concerns. To start experiencing relief from arthritis pain, say goodbye to pain meds and contact your physical therapist.

Don’t just numb your arthritis pain — manage it the smart, safe, effective way. Contact our physical therapy clinic!

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