If you have been diagnosed with arthritis, then you know all too well how it can cause pain and stiffness that makes your daily life more challenging. Tasks that used to be simple, such as changing clothes, tending your garden or playing with your grandchildren, are now more taxing on your body. Unfortunately, there is not yet a cure for arthritis, but this doesn’t mean there is no hope.

Treatments for arthritis can help manage the pain, improve your range of motion and slow the progression of the disease. There are a variety of treatments that health care professionals use to treat arthritis. One method that benefits many arthritis patients is physical therapy.

Treating arthritis with physical therapy

Physical therapists are licensed health care professionals who specialize in treating conditions that affect your bones, joints, muscles, tendons and ligaments. They can examine your condition and determine where exactly arthritis is affecting your joints and how they can help you manage it.

One of the main goals of treating arthritis with physical therapy is to help reduce strain off your joints by improving your strength and flexibility. There are many methods physical therapists use to do this, including:

• Therapeutic exercises and stretches — Your physical therapist can guide you through stretches and exercises designed to specifically target the muscles and soft tissue that support your arthritic joints. Stronger and more flexible muscles provide better support for the joints, which helps with your range of motion and reducing strain that causes pain.

• Posture guidance — Poor posture can increase strain on your joints. Your physical therapist can examine how you sit, stand and lie down to determine if there are any corrections you need to make. They can show you how to make improvements to your posture, so you can reduce the strain off your joints.

• Hands-on therapy — Your physical therapist can use their hands to gently mobilize and maneuver your joints, muscles and tendons. These techniques help to reduce tension, break up scar tissue and improve your range of motion.

• Patient education — Your physical therapist will likely provide guidance for how to improve your diet or how to change the way you perform certain tasks to help reduce joint strain.

Visit Franklin Rehabilitation for help managing your arthritis pain and stiffness

Are you suffering from arthritis pain that forces you to miss out on what you love in life? Our team at Franklin is here to help. We can provide physical therapy treatments like those listed here and more. We’re committed to examining your condition and developing a personalized treatment routine to help you manage your condition and enjoy a better quality of life. In addition, you don’t need a doctor’s referral to begin using any of our therapy services.

Are you ready to learn more about treating your arthritis with physical therapy? Contact us today for more information or to schedule an initial appointment.