Can Physical Therapy Help Arthritis?

There are many people who suffer from arthritis in different forms. It is essential to treat the problems of arthritis in a timely manner, prior to the body becoming less functional. There are different treatments that can give relief from the problems of arthritis, but physical therapy is one of the best options. There are many arthritic patients who are prescribed this treatment procedure, because it has proven highly effective in most of the cases.

Addressing the Symptoms
In reliable pain management centers, doctors focus on providing relief to the symptoms of arthritis. Physical therapy is one such procedure which is beneficial to the sufferers of arthritis. When a person is diagnosed with acute arthritis, the physician at the physical therapy center can well assess the condition of the patient, and recommend the exercises and programs that would work ideally in each case.

When a person is suffering from stiffness in the joints and muscles, it is recognized to be a sign of arthritis. In such a case, physical therapy is recommended to the patient. A well trained physical therapist can teach the sufferer to work out well with the stiffness of the muscle, taking care that the joints are not damaged further.

Physical therapy modalities that help patients return to a normal, active lifestyle include:
    * Massage and Myofascial Release
    * Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS)
    * Ice or heat to eliminate muscle spasm and inflammation
    * Ultrasound to treat soft tissue injuries
    * Traction
    * Rehabilitation
    * Injury prevention education

Getting Back to Normal Activities
The main goal of physical therapy programs is to help the arthritis patients restore function, so that they can perform routine activities, without much trouble. The muscles surrounding the joints in arthritis are mostly affected, and the treatment focuses on building up the strength of the muscles and stabilizing the weakened joints.

In fact, improving the mobility and restoring normal functioning of different body parts is the main goal of physical therapy, and the therapists make the best effort to help the person get back to a normal lifestyle.

Different Benefits

    * The joints and muscles can break their stiffness, and start functioning normally
    * Stability can be achieved
    * Apart from arthritis, other ailments connected with joints and muscles can also be addressed through physical therapy.

The exercises and programs recommended by the physical therapist give the patient the much needed relief from pain and instability.