How Does Physical Therapy Help Seniors with Arthritis?
Arthritis is a joint condition that affects millions of people. People with arthritis experience pain, stiffness, and even swelling in their joints. There isn’t a cure for arthritis yet, but there are some ways that seniors and other people with arthritis can relieve their symptoms. Physical therapy services offer a variety of different tools that can help people with arthritis to live fuller and happier lives.
Physical Therapy Canton MI – How Does Physical Therapy Help Seniors with Arthritis?
Arthritis and Its Challenges
When people hear the word “arthritis,” they may not realize that this term describes more than 100 different joint-related conditions. The two most common types of arthritis are rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. Most arthritis forms lead to joint inflammation, pain, reduced mobility, and muscle weakness. Depending on where the arthritis occurs in the body, patients may have trouble holding objects, walking, or bending their bodies.
Symptom Relief
Physical therapists work with patients to assess symptoms and determine ways to relieve them. Most people know about physical therapy as a way to exercise or move more. But beyond movement, physical therapists use a variety of techniques to help manage symptoms like pain and swelling. Massage, electrical stimulation, and hot and cold therapy. Using a combination of these different techniques can do a lot to reduce pain, stiffness, and swelling.
Strengthening Muscles and Supporting Joints
Arthritis can cause seniors to reduce their activity, which can further affect mobility. Sometimes this leads to even more pain and discomfort, continuing the cycle. Physical therapy works to strengthen muscles, offering better support to the joints that are affected by arthritis. Physical therapists develop personalized exercise programs for their patients. These programs often include resistance exercises, low-impact aerobic exercises, and range-of-motion exercises.
Improving Mobility
Losing joint mobility makes life difficult for seniors with arthritis. It can also lead to bigger problems, like an increased risk of falling. Physical therapists work with their patients to improve their range of motion and flexibility. They may do this through a combination of posture training, stretching exercises, and joint protection techniques.
Preventing Damage
Arthritis is incredibly damaging to joints. Physical therapy can help seniors to limit the damage that their joints experience, however. Continuing to participate in therapy appointments, improving mobility, and building strength all help to slow the progression of arthritis. Physical therapists can help seniors with arthritis learn how to move safely, reducing the risk of injury and accidentally worsening arthritis and its symptoms.
Staying Active
Staying active is a great way for seniors with arthritis to manage the condition well. Working with a physical therapist teaches seniors how to move safely and hopefully regain any mobility they may have lost. Feeling empowered and moving safely are important aspects of helping seniors to have better mental and physical health.
Physical therapy offers a variety of tools that seniors with arthritis need to manage their health effectively. Building muscle, improving flexibility, and addressing symptoms offer pain relief, but it also helps seniors stay mobile and improve how well their joints function. As they encounter new challenges related to arthritis, seniors have tools they can apply.
If you or an aging loved one is considering Physical Therapy Services in Canton MI, please contact the caring staff at No Place Like Home Health, LLC today. 734-259-4200
Connecting Families with Compassionate & Quality Home Health Care In Wayne, Oakland, Livingston & Washtenaw.
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