Take a Proactive Approach To Arthritis Pain With Physical Therapy
Take a Proactive Approach To Arthritis Pain With Physical Therapy
Have you recently learned that your persistent joint pain is the result of arthritis? For many, this can be a challenging discovery, as the most common forms of arthritis have no known cures. But rest assured that you do not have to spend your life living with debilitating joint pain — physical therapy can help!
Arthritis refers to several conditions that cause joint inflammation, leading to its two primary symptoms: pain and mobility restriction. The most common form of arthritis, osteoarthritis, can cause pain during movement. It’s no surprise, then, that many people with arthritis wind up avoiding physical activity.
In reality, regular physical activity is one of the best ways to manage arthritis pain. Physical activity can also help delay the progression of arthritis — and help you avoid surgery.
As movement experts, the team at Excel Physical Therapy is well-equipped to help you manage your arthritis pain. The physical therapy approach to arthritis management focuses on drug-free pain relief and regular movement. Best of all, it allows you to take a proactive role in your treatment.
Let’s look at what happens when you exercise regularly with arthritis — and what happens when you don’t. And if you’d like to learn more, call us to schedule an appointment today!
Got Arthritis? What To Expect If You Skip Regular Exercise
1. Your muscles will weaken: One of the big benefits of exercise is that it builds muscle mass. If you don’t exercise regularly, your muscle mass will decrease — especially if you’re older, as muscle mass naturally decreases as we age.
What does this mean if you have arthritis? Without strong muscles, your impacted joints don’t get the strength and stability they need to function, which puts even more stress on them — and means more pain in the long run.
2. Your joints will get stiffer: Our bodies are made to move, and when we don’t move them frequently enough, our joints don’t get the lubrication they need to run properly. This is as true for people with arthritis as it is for anyone else. Plus, since arthritis causes joint stiffness, not moving will only worsen your symptoms.
3. You increase your risk of injury: When you don’t exercise, you start to lose everyday abilities like balance, stability, and coordination. You can also develop muscular imbalances, improper biomechanics, or postural issues, all of which increase your odds of suffering an injury.
What Happens When You Do Exercise With Arthritis
1. You’ll experience less pain:
While it’s true that activity can initially worsen arthritis pain, regular exercise will decrease your pain symptoms over time.
2. You’ll experience fewer mobility restrictions:
Just as regular exercise can decrease pain, it will also help improve your range of motion — meaning you can move more easily.
3. The progression of your arthritis may slow:
Both osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis — the two most common forms of arthritis — will gradually worsen over time and may eventually require you to undergo surgery. Exercising won’t cure arthritis, but it will slow the damage to your joints.
4. You may feel more empowered:
Living with a chronic condition is hard. Regular exercise can help you feel like you’re taking an active role in managing your condition and reducing your pain.
5. You’ll experience other physical and mental benefits:
Exercise offers many benefits beyond pain management. It can improve mood and quality of sleep, protect you from heart disease and diabetes, and help you stay active and independent well into old age.
Ready To Start Exercising? Excel Physical Therapy Can Help!
While the benefits of regular exercise for arthritis are undeniable, getting started can be challenging. Which movements are safe for you to perform? Which will provide you with the most benefits? What should you do if even simple movement is too painful?
This is where our physical therapists shine! We’ll create a customized arthritis treatment plan that speaks to your needs and abilities. Here’s a taste of all that we can offer:
- Acute pain management using manual techniques and pain relieving modalities
- Personalized exercise programs with targeted, progressive exercises that build strength and improve mobility
- Specialized exercise programs to address balance and other functional challenges
- Guidance on general exercise programs to keep you moving outside our clinic
Don’t let arthritis keep you from living an active, healthy lifestyle. Call us today to find out more about our arthritis treatment programs!
Find Relief Now – Schedule Your Free Consultation!
Ready for personalized care?
Come back to Excel Physical Therapy and book your session today!
Spring Is Running Season! Are You In Your Best Shape?
Are you looking forward to starting running again after a long winter? At Excel Physical Therapy, our therapists understand running injuries, and we will make sure you run pain-free this spring!
Runners are often misled into believing unproven solutions to avoiding pain and injury. Not many people know that the number-one risk factor for runners to sustain an injury is having had an injury in the last 12 months.
The other most common risk factors are:
- Running experience of 0–2 years
- Restarting running after extended rest
- Overtraining (i.e., more than 40 miles per week)
To ensure you can get back to running or increasing your mileage without pain or injury, start with an injury evaluation and a biomechanical assessment to identify any factors that could contribute to pain or injury.
Our therapists will take a thorough history to understand your training schedule, previous injuries, and overall health status. We use this information to create an individualized program to alleviate pain and get you back to running without limits.
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Exercise of the Month
Sitting Knee Flexion
Sit tall in a chair with your feet flat on the floor, then slowly slide one foot back underneath you to bend your knee as far as comfortable. Hold for a few seconds, then gently return to the starting position. Repeat for several reps, keeping the movement smooth and controlled.
Holding a stretch for 30-60 seconds may be needed if there is joint or muscle tightness”. Don’t push into severe pain.
Success Story
Lori
“Love my therapist Teresa Van Aacken, gets my chronic spinal issues!”
-Donna K.
Staff Spotlight
Teresa Van Aacken, DPT
Dr. Teresa Van Aacken believes great care starts with truly listening. Her approach focuses on identifying the root cause of pain through a thorough, hands-on evaluation, not just treating symptoms.
A graduate of Marquette University, Teresa began her career serving six years as a physical therapist in the United States Navy, where she specialized in orthopedic and sports-related injuries. She has continued to advance her expertise throughout her career, earning her Doctorate in Physical Therapy and multiple certifications, including board certification in orthopedic physical therapy, strength and conditioning, vestibular rehabilitation, and manual therapy.
As a highly skilled clinician, Teresa is known for her personalized, patient-centered care and her commitment to helping individuals move better and feel stronger with confidence.
Outside the clinic, she enjoys running, playing piano, traveling, and cheering on the Green Bay Packers.
May Word Scramble
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prsnig
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lveendar
Answer Key
dandelion
fishing
taurus
spring
basket
lavender
Enjoy This Healthy Recipe!
ORZO WITH ZUCCHINI AND TOMATO
- 5 oz uncooked orzo pasta
- 1/2 large zucchini, 1/4-inch diced
- 1 small plum or Campari tomato, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, smashed & finely chopped
- 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- Salt & fresh pepper to taste
- 1/4 cup fresh grated Parmesan or Pecorino
Enjoy this Orzo with Zucchini and Tomato for a fresh, light dish that perfectly captures the flavors of the season. It’s a simple yet satisfying meal that works just as well for a quick weeknight dinner as it does for a relaxed outdoor gathering.
Directions:
Cook pasta in a large pot of salted water as directed for al dente. Reserve about 1/2 cup liquid before draining. Drain orzo in a colander and add the oil to the pot. Saute garlic 1 minute, until fragrant, add the zucchini and tomatoes, season with salt and pepper and mix well. Cook until tender, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the cooked orzo and stir to combine all. Add some of the reserved liquid as needed so pasta isn’t dry. Add freshly grated cheese and stir.
