There is no doubt, the pain and stiffness of arthritis can turn out to be a miserable one for all those who suffer from the problem. Currently, there is no precise cure for this condition. However, the good news is that lack of the right cure does not actually mean there is no solution for the sufferers of arthritis.

When it comes to arthritis, there could be over 100 different reasons for the symptoms to appear; hence, proper treatment needs to begin with a proper diagnosis of the problem. Usually, when you visit a physician, he or she would prescribe medications for the symptoms of the condition, but the drawback is they offer only short-term relief. For long-term relief, most patients increasingly rely on physical therapy as their source of Atlanta pain management. Physical therapy helps to target the pain and keeps it under control.

What are the Types of Arthritis?

There are several forms of arthritis, but the two most common ones include:

Osteoarthritis

Among the forms, osteoarthritis remains the most common form of arthritis. This type of arthritis is one characterized by the breakdown of the cartilage right around the joints. It may also develop from poor mechanics during injury or activity, and overuse. Note that the primary role of the cartilage is to lubricate the joints as well as distribute forces. Keep in mind that without enough cartilage to proceed with these roles, the bones will rub together, which will result in creating pain. In some severe cases, the fragments of the bones could chip off, and spurs of bone could develop, which contributes to more pain.

Common areas osteoarthritis targets include the knees, hips, spine, and hands. In addition, sufferers say they notice some decrease in their body flexibility, causing an uncomfortable sensation of grinding and the rubbing together of bones, tenderness, and unusual stiffness.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

This is an autoimmune disease, which means the body will attack itself, where the synovial membrane or lining of the joints become inflamed. Usually, this inflammation is not just painful, but it also leads to deformities in the joints, including a bone loss in worse cases. When it comes to the characteristics of the condition, it often includes tenderness, swelling, the warmth of joint, and stiffness. The pain can worsen even after you rest. In general, this condition affects the feet, wrists, and hands. When left untreated it can also affect other areas of the body, including knees, hips and the shoulder area. However, the most common and prominent symptom of this condition is continual fever, chronic exhaustion, weight loss and decreased exhaustion. Often, the pain is sporadic, meaning it occurs in flares. Although the primary treatment may include medications, physical therapy also helps to keep it under control.

What Does a Physical Therapist Do?

The role of a physical therapist such as Kroll Care experts is to target the areas that experience pain and help to alleviate it. For patients, physical therapists do this through:

Exercise

Usually, therapists use a tailored therapeutic exercise program, which could assist with mobility and strength. Repeated research also shows long-term improvement with joint function through high-intensity exercise. Strengthening and weight-bearing activities help to improve the lubrication of joints, which results in the reduction of the pain.  The job of a physical therapist here is to design a unique program that will address all of the areas of your body that experience pain.

Regardless of whether you suffer from knee pain, shoulder pain, neck pain, or even hip, ankle, and low back pain, exercise plans can help to address the pain problems. Exercise will also allow you to focus on control and mechanics during functional movements like carrying objects, lifting, and squatting. You will be able to do all these with no difficulty and minimal pain.

Manual Therapy

Physical therapists also train in different manual therapy techniques, which when utilized decrease the pain and increase your body’s mobility. In addition, research also reveals that soft tissue and joint mobilization are beneficial for all those patients who suffer from arthritis.

When you choose physical therapy, the key to a successful outcome is learning the exercises and practicing them in your home for long-term improvement. Over time, the body will become stronger and adapt slowly, working on the pain. Make sure that when you visit your physical therapist, you should explain your complaint carefully to them. Explain your goals to them, whether it means getting out of the car without pain, raising your arms to reach the kitchen cabinets, raising your toes or arms, and performing tasks without pain.

In many cases, it is not necessary for you to see your physical therapist every week. Sometimes, all you just need is to update your sessions once every few months. When you experience a change in your health, including a flare in your arthritis condition, this can cause you to fall right behind your program of exercise, affecting other areas of function.

Make sure that you take your time to find a suitable doctor in your area to ensure the best relief from your pain.