Can Arthritis Be Treated With Physical Therapy?

Arthritis is a painful condition that can make it difficult to perform everyday tasks or participate in pleasurable activities. Although there is no cure for arthritis, there are things you can do to reduce your pain and improve your functioning. Physical therapy, in particular, can be used to treat arthritis, improving mobility, increasing strength, and maximizing quality of life.

What is arthritis?

Arthritis refers to swelling, pain, and stiffness in the joints. There are dozens of different types of arthritis, but the most common include:

• Osteoarthritis - wear and tear causes cartilage to thin and bones to rub together
  Rheumatoid arthritis - immune system attacks healthy joint tissue

Arthritis can affect the ankles, hips, hands, fingers, neck, knees, wrists, or any joint in the body. The pain associated with arthritis can be sudden, sharp, dull, intermittent, or chronic.

Arthritis treatment

There is no cure for arthritis, but there are several different options for treating the symptoms, depending on the type of arthritis and the severity of the condition. Medications, acupuncture and massage, and surgery are often used to help manage pain, reduce inflammation and swelling, and maximize range of motion. Certain lifestyle changes can also make a big difference. These include:

• Maintaining a healthy weight

• Regular exercise (low-impact)

• Healthy diet

• Meditation and relaxation techniques to manage stress

Although certain healthy lifestyle choices may feel impossible when you suffer from joint pain and stiffness, physical therapy can have a significant impact on your ability to manage your pain and maintain your fitness levels.

Arthritis physical therapy exercises

A physical therapy treatment plan is customized to the individual patient, and the exercises are designed to treat their specific symptoms. In general, whether your physical therapist gives you hip arthritis exercises or knee arthritis exercises, the goal is to improve mobility, increase strength and range of motion, and maintain fitness levels. Here’s how:

Range of motion exercises for arthritis

Simple exercises can improve mobility and flexibility in your joints. Knee arthritis exercises for range of motion may include sitting in a chair and straightening and bending one leg at a time. Shoulder range of motion exercise may include lifting and raising your arms. You’ll typically be instructed to move as far as you can until you feel a light stretch. Your physical therapist will help teach you the proper mechanics and postures.

Strength exercises for arthritis

Evidence shows that building strength in the muscles that help stabilize and support the affected joints can help to prevent or slow the process of arthritis. It’s important to perform the exercises slowly and only make gradual increases in order to keep the body in alignment and maintain healthy postures. Examples of knee arthritis exercises for strength include squats, leg presses, and leg curls. Your physical therapist will give you any necessary modifications to ensure that you stay safe.

Functional movement exercises

Physical therapists are skilled and trained in helping patients to manage pain and maximize functioning, and they do this in a number of ways. While strength and flexibility are important in managing symptoms of arthritis, a physical therapist can also train patients in the use of equipment such as canes, crutches, wheelchairs and walkers. Physical therapists are equipped with the training and knowledge to help all patients maximize their mobility and maintain healthy fitness levels.

Physical therapy can be used in combination with any other arthritis treatment for maximum benefits and maximum quality of life.

Physical therapy for arthritis at Bella Vista Health Center in San Diego, CA

At Bella Vista Health Center, our physical therapists are highly trained and experienced in the treatment of arthritis. If you or someone you love is in need of physical therapy for arthritis, give us a call at (619) 644-1000 to schedule a visit to our 5-Star skilled nursing facility in Lemon Grove. We’d love to show you around and introduce you to our dedicated team of physical therapists and other skilled and compassionate healthcare professionals.

Top Physical Therapy Exercises After an Injury

After a severe injury or surgery, you might be tempted to take it easy for the long haul. But physical therapy is often the only way to regain full function of the injured area and restore strength and flexibility. Through various exercises and drills, physical therapy also helps prevent re-injury of the affected area, an aspect of rehabilitation many people overlook.

 Different injuries require different strategies for rehabilitation, and our physical therapists at Bella Vista Health Center tailor their efforts to each patient, targeting specific areas of weakness to relieve stress and help the body function without pain. Many of our rehabilitation programs incorporate one or more of the following top physical therapy exercises after an injury:

Top 7 Physical Therapy Exercises:

Top Physical Therapy Exercises

1. Resistance band exercises

Resistance bands allow patients to gradually increase the stress on their muscles as they regain more strength. And because resistance is maintained through every part of the exercise, the result is more complete stimulation and better range of motion.

Examples of effective resistance band exercises include:

• Knee extensions to increase strength in patients recovering from a knee injury

• One-hand internal rotations to strengthen injured rotator cuff muscles and reduce shoulder pain

 2. Therapy ball exercises

 Therapy balls are great for improving strength and balance for anyone, but therapy ball exercises are particularly effective for physical therapy patients because they reduce muscle and spinal strain during certain movements.

 Examples of effective therapy ball exercises include:

• Pelvic isolation for patients recovering from back injuries

• One-legged hamstring curls strengthen muscles around the knee and reduce strain on an injured ACL

 3. Balance and wobble board exercises

 A balance or wobble board is a basic piece of equipment involving a ball projecting from the base of a round board. Wobble boards enhance range of motion and strength, improving overall balance and flexibility.

Examples of effective wobble board exercises include:

• Controlled tilts for patients recovering from ankle injuries

• Balance training to help prevent shoulder joint dislocations, ankle sprains and re-injury of ACL

4. Foam roller exercises

 Long cylinders made of foam are frequently used to stretch a patient’s fascia, a layer of connective tissue beneath the skin that envelops the entire body. Stretching the fascia aids in flexibility and range of motion. Foam rollers can also be used in exercises specifically aimed at improving balance and strengthening a patient’s core.

 Examples of effective foam roller exercises include:

• Slowly rolling the foam over a target area to massage tight, injured muscles and break down scar tissue

• Rolling the foam either parallel or perpendicular to the spine to increase mobility and reduce stiffness for patients recovering from an injured back

5. Plyometrics

 Plyometrics are strengthening exercises that incorporate jumping, bounding, and hopping movements to increase muscle power, strength, balance, and agility. Plyometrics are especially crucial for sports-related injuries.

 Effective low-intensity plyometric exercises include:

• Lateral hops over short cones, lunges, and multiple-hoop jumps for patients recovering from ACL injuries

• Standing two-arm overhead throw of medicine ball for rehabilitation of injured rotator cuff

6. Biofeedback

 Biofeedback is used to train patients to improve muscle strength by applying electrodes to the skin that read signals from the body. When biofeedback is used in a physical therapy setting, it gives patients an immediate sense of control and increases interest and motivation, which in turn produces better functional outcomes.

 Biofeedback can be used in physical therapy to:

• Help stroke patients regain movement of paralyzed or weakened muscles

• Strengthen weak pelvic floor muscles in patients recovering from pelvic injuries

 7. Pilates

 Pilates is much more than the latest gym trend—it’s a comprehensive exercise system that uses isolated muscle movement to boost strength, control core muscles, improve spinal mobility, increase postural strength, and correct muscular alignment.

 Pilates can be used in physical therapy to:

• Improve posture and reprogram muscles for patients with repetitive strain injury (RSI)

• Restore function following a stroke, or in patients with Parkinson’s or MS

Get back to your best at Bella Vista Health Center

 At Bella Vista Health Center, we understand that all physical therapy patients respond to exercises at different rates of improvement. That’s why our Physical Therapy Department customizes treatments to meet each patient’s unique needs. Our evidence-based, outcome-driven therapy programs strive to get our patients back to their best. If you or someone you love, is in need of physical therapy in San Diego, contact us today for more information.