Are You Taking Opioids for Your Arthritis Pain? You Need to Read This.

Arthritis is a general term that actually includes hundreds of different diseases. Whether you have osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, or another type, one of the primary symptoms is inflammation and pain in the joints. Whatever type of arthritis you’re suffering from, you’re likely struggling to overcome varying degrees of pain. If you’re taking opioids for arthritis pain, you need to know there is a better option.

How Arthritis Affects Your Daily Life

If you’re struggling with osteoarthritis you are likely suffering from pain, stiffness, and limited flexibility. Rheumatoid arthritis may cause similar symptoms as well as affecting organs in the body. Psoriatic arthritis and gout are also types of arthritis that can cause varying levels of pain, inflammation, and limited mobility. Arthritis pain can affect even the simplest of daily activities. Doing laundry, cooking, and walking up and down stairs can prove difficult. The severity of pain can also change on a daily basis. It can become all too easy to rely on strong pain medication to cope with arthritis pain.

How Opioids Work

Opioids are a strong narcotic that works to numb pain. They have the ability to bind to the opioid receptors in the brain and limit the pain messages that are sent to the brain. Both oxycodone and morphine are considered opioids. While opioid medications can be beneficial when carefully used over short periods of time, they are not without serious drawbacks. They are highly addictive and often interact with other medications. In 2016 there were approximately 42,000 deaths related to opioid overdoses. If you’re currently taking some type of opioid for your arthritis pain, it’s important to know that there is a safer alternative that can reduce and even eliminate pain.

How Physical Therapy can Help

Physical therapy can be an effective alternative to taking opioids for arthritis pain. There are several specific ways that a physical therapist can help an individual struggling with arthritis pain.

  • Provide Manual Manipulation – A physical therapist can provide massage or use hot or cold therapy to ease arthritic pain. Massage can help improve circulation which can reduce joint pain.
  • Use TENS Therapy – TENS is Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation therapy. This type of physical therapy includes pulses of electricity used to target arthritis pain. A physical therapist  can place electrodes on the skin over the area of pain. Low amounts of electricity pass through to the joints. This can temporarily relieve arthritis pain.
  • Teach Exercises – A physical therapist can teach you exercises that will increase flexibility and strength. These exercises can also reduce the pain you experience when carrying out daily activities. According to the American Physical Therapy Association, research shows that individuals with arthritis can exercise without making pain worse.
  • Show How to Use Assistive Devices – During physical therapy treatment you can also learn how to correctly use devices such as braces, canes, or walkers.
  • Suggest Home Modifications – A physical therapist will be able to make suggestions for your home environment that can help ease arthritic pain. These might include mats to stand on in your kitchen, ergonomic chairs, or certain types of mattresses or bedding you can use.

If you’re struggling with arthritis pain, a trained physical therapist can work with you to increase your mobility while decreasing pain. Even if you’re already taking opioids an individualized physical therapy program may be able to help you reduce the amount of medication you’re currently taking. Contact a GoodLife Physical Therapy physical therapist to find out how you can reduce arthritis pain.

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Are Your Joints Hurting? 4 Ways Physical Therapy Can Help Relieve Arthritis Pain.

Arthritis is a common joint pain issue that can affect people of all ages. And while there is no cure for arthritis, with physical therapy you can learn to manage your arthritis pain naturally. For many people with chronic arthritis pain, prescription pain medications may seem like the only pain relief option. However, our experienced physical therapist recommends completing a variety of different targeted exercises to reduce inflammation, increase mobility and relieve your arthritis pain. Keep reading to learn more.

What is Arthritis?

Arthritis is characterized by a swelling or tenderness in one or more of the joints in the body. The most common complaints of those with arthritis are joint pain and stiffness, and these symptoms can actually worsen with age. While there are many types of arthritis, the 2 most common types are rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. With osteoarthritis, the cartilage that covers the ends of the bones at the joint starts to breakdown, resulting in recurring pain and stiffness. However, rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic disease that causes the body’s immune system to attack various joints, beginning in the actual lining of the joints and breaking them down over time.

What are the Most Common Symptoms of Arthritis?

For most people with arthritis, joint pain is the most common complaint. But depending on the type of arthritis an individual has, they may experience a variety of different symptoms, including:

  • Swelling
  • Redness
  • Stiffness
  • Impaired range of motion
  • Chronic pain

What Causes Arthritis to Develop?

Because there are different types of arthritis, there is not one main cause of this type of joint issue. However, there are certain risk factors that may increase the likelihood that you may develop arthritis in your lifetime.

Family History

Certain types of arthritis can be genetic issues that run within family lines. If your parents or siblings have a specific type of arthritis, you are much more likely to develop it at some point in your life as well.

Age

The risk of developing certain types of arthritis, like osteoarthritis and gout, increases as we age.

Your Sex

Did you know that women are much more likely to develop rheumatoid arthritis than men? But on the other hand, men are more likely to develop gout.

Obesity

When you are carrying excess weight on your body, you are putting increased strain on your joints. People with obesity have a greater chance of developing arthritis, particularly in the knees, hips, and spine.

Previous Injury

If you’ve injured a joint in the past, you have an increased risk of developing arthritis in the same area later in life.

Physical Therapy Exercises for Arthritis Pain

If you are experiencing arthritis pain, our physical therapist recommends completing a few different physical therapy exercises to help ease your pain and other symptoms like stiffness. Some of our favorite exercises include:

  • Stretching — This simple exercise helps to improve flexibility, increase your range of motion and reduce stiffness caused by arthritis.
  • Walking — Going for a walk is a great way to improve your joint health, boost your overall mood, and help with aerobic conditioning.
  • Water Exercises — This is a great low-impact way to get in your physical therapy exercises and relieve joint pain.
  • Hand Exercises — Rheumatoid arthritis can often result in limited use of the hands over time. By bending the wrists up and down, slowly curling your fingers, and spreading your fingers wide in a repetitive exercise cycle, you can greatly improve mobility and relieve chronic pain.

Contact Our Physical Therapy Office Today

Interested in learning more about the benefits of physical therapy treatment for arthritis pain? Contact our friendly and experienced physical therapist today to learn more and be sure to schedule an initial consultation.

Physical Therapy: Treating Arthritis the Safe and Easy Way

Anyone living with arthritis knows how debilitating it can be. Several people dealing with arthritic aches and pains end up resorting to steroid injections, antirheumatic drugs, or even joint replacement surgery, in order to manage their pain. However, physical therapy itself has proven successful for many arthritis sufferers. Before turning to potentially harmful drugs or an invasive surgical procedure, give physical therapy a try! Contact us today or visit us in Orland Park or Homer Glen, IL to schedule a consultation and learn how we can treat your arthritis the safe and easy way.

Isolating painful joints:

Rest can sometimes be the best cure for arthritic joints. However, too much inactivity can actually worsen the problem by weakening the surrounding muscles.

Your physical therapist can help you isolate the painful joint, so you can remain active while finding relief. Bracing provides natural pain relief for your arthritic condition. Depending on where your arthritis is rooted, a specialized neck collar or wrist splint can also provide specialized support for that joint. By isolating the painful area, you will be able to go about your daily life without worrying about the aches and pains you are carrying with you.

Building range-of-motion:

Anyone with arthritis can vouch for the painfully stiff joints that accompany the condition. If you try to push the affected joint further than it can move, the resulting sensation can range from a nagging twinge to sheer agony. Flexibility exercises learned in physical therapy sessions gradually allow your joints to become more limber, while resistance exercises work to strengthen the muscles that support those joints. By participating in such treatments, your complete physical therapy session will allow you to achieve lessened discomfort and greater freedom of movement.

Incorporating manual therapy:

Physical therapy isn’t just about doing specialized exercises. In fact, manual therapy is a crucial part of many physical therapy treatment plans. It is the hands-on component of PT that not only gives arthritic patients much-needed pampering, but also helps to ease discomfort. Manual pain relief treatment often occupies a significant portion of an arthritic patient’s physical therapy session.

Additional treatment methods may include ice and heat therapies, massage, and even specialized machines, in order to ease aching joints. Your physical therapist can alternate heating pads and ice packs to naturally relieve pain. Targeted massage boosts circulation and creates a soothing, warming sensation for arthritic areas. Ultrasound machines bring soothing heat deeper into the affected joints. No matter what methods and modalities you are prescribed, you can find solace in the fact that your physical therapist designed your treatment plan specifically for you.

Moving in new ways:

It’s not always simple to anticipate which actions you make will bring on arthritic twinges and sharp pains. Even something as simple as turning a corner while walking can cause your arthritic shoulder to tense and twist in a way that you never even noticed before, resulting in a jolt of pain that seems to shoot right through you. Because of this, learning new ways to move is important, in order to help you avoid some of those unwelcomed painful sensations throughout the day.

During physical therapy treatments, arthritic patients are able to learn which motions lead to discomfort. Their physical therapists are also able to demonstrate new joint protection techniques, in order to avoid unnecessary pain. This could be something as simple as using a purse with a particular kind of strap, in order to take pressure off your wrists, or exiting the car or bathtub in a different way.

If you have arthritic fingers, a physical therapist can demonstrate how to carry objects with your palms instead of grasping them. Laying objects across the arms instead of carrying them in your hands is another common technique. Throughout your treatments, you will also gain information on the latest tools and gadgets that can help make day-to-day tasks much less challenging.

Find relief today!

Each arthritis case is different. Because of this, your treatment plan will be dependent upon the location and severity of your condition, as well as any physical limitations you may have. At your initial appointment, you will undergo a thorough assessment in order to determine which methods will provide you with optimum pain relief. If you are looking for a safe and easy way to treat your arthritis pains, look no further! Schedule a consultation today and get started on your path toward long-lasting pain relief.

Sources:

https://www.arthritis.org/about-arthritis/understanding-arthritis/what-is-arthritis.php

https://www.arthritis.org/living-with-arthritis/treatments/

Relieve Your Arthritis Pains with Physical Therapy Treatments

Are you suffering from the aches, pains, and stiffness of arthritis? If so, you’re not alone. There are millions of people who live with arthritis, and it is no secret that it can limit your life. Fortunately, participating in regular physical therapy treatments can help manage your arthritis pain and reduce your symptoms. For more information on how our services can decrease or even eliminate your pain altogether, contact our office today!

What will I get out of a physical therapy program?

Physical therapy can improve your daily life by making it easier to live with arthritis. Just a few of the many ways this is accomplished is by:

  • Learning how to correctly use devices. A trained physical therapist can help you learn how to use orthotics, walkers, and any other assistive device correctly. This will help lessen the strain on joints when you move and ensure that you are using the devices safely.
  • Increasing your range of motion. A physical therapy program can help reduce stiffness by keeping both your muscles and ligaments loose. This will lessen your pain and improve your overall range of mobility.
  • Strengthening your muscles. When the muscles that surround and support your aching joints are stronger and more flexible, your arthritis pain will be much less severe. Physical therapy techniques can be used to increase strength, which in turn will relieve pain.

What exactly is physical therapy?

Unfortunately, there is not yet a known cure for arthritis. Physical therapy won’t reverse your arthritic condition, but it can help slow the process and decrease symptoms. Essentially, physical therapy can help you live more comfortably with your condition.

Your physical therapist will prescribe targeted exercises and stretches that will keep joints mobile and pain-free. He or she may also help you maintain a healthy body weight as needed, in order to decrease unnecessary strain on your joints.

Physical therapy may also help you avoid taking excessive amounts of medication in order to reduce your pain. A physical therapist is trained to evaluate your condition and provide the correct exercises to meet your needs. A common physical therapy exercise for arthritis patients is aquatic therapy, as working out in water allows for a soothing and non-impact exercise.

How can diet affect my arthritis?

Did you know that a healthy diet can help decrease arthritis pains? When you are experiencing pain and inflammation, it is important to stay away from foods containing high levels of sugar, MSG, and refined carbs. Some foods that can help ease your symptoms include:

  • Ginger. Ginger may be able to help reduce inflammation and alleviate arthritis pain. It also adds incredible flavor to almost any food, including soups, fruits, veggies, and meat.
  • Soy. Soy is high in protein and low in fat, and it is also a great tasting way to fight inflammation. You can get your soy through tofu, soy milk, or roasted soybeans.
  • Broccoli. Broccoli has an ingredient called sulforaphane, which has the ability to slow down or even prevent osteoarthritis. Broccoli is great served hot or cold, in salads, or as a casserole.
  • Walnuts. Much like the nutrients you find in fish, walnuts are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which can reduce inflammation. Walnuts can be eaten alone or added to almost any sweet or salty dish.

The goals of a physical therapist:

Physical therapists are trained in multiple different methods of treatment. One of the most common treatment methods for arthritis is massage, as it is a great way to loosen up the stiff or inflamed muscles and tendons around the arthritic joint(s). Additional treatments may include ice and heat therapies, ultrasound, or laser therapy as your physical therapist deems fit. These all help in decreasing inflammation, relieving pain, and loosening up tight muscles.

One of the many goals of a physical therapist is to help you achieve the most active lifestyle possible for your condition. Just because you have arthritis doesn’t mean you can’t still enjoy the activities you love! Your physical therapist will design an individualized treatment plan for you, in order to keep your tendons, muscles, and joints working together in harmony.

Are you ready to relieve your arthritis pains? Contact our office today to get started on your journey toward long-lasting relief!

Sources:

https://www.arthritis.org/about-arthritis/understanding-arthritis/what-is-arthritis.php

https://www.arthritis.org/living-with-arthritis/treatments/