Tired of Relying on Medication for Pain Relief? Physical Therapy Can Help

Are you taking pain medication to manage your pain? If so, this blog just might make you want to kick them once and for all. Pain medications just may not be a good choice. It seems like every time you turn on the news, there is another story about the opioid epidemic gripping the country.

The medical industry is in somewhat of a panic, and with good reason. In 2016 alone, 116 people died each day from opioid-related drug overdoses. Some 11.5 million Americans misused prescription painkillers in some way, costing an estimated $504 million in economic costs. That’s a lot of pain, a lot of money, and a lot of unnecessary death.

This epidemic has even affected employment rates in our country; some researchers even feel that many people who would otherwise be able to work are sidelined because they would fail a drug test! As mind-blowing as these numbers are, to a person who uses prescription pain medication for pain relief, opioids may seem like the only option. However, that isn’t the case. Physical therapy is another option that can alleviate your pain, and possibly help you kick your reliance on drugs altogether.

Give Rehab Advantage & Sports Medicine a call today to learn how physical therapy can help you ditch those pain meds.

What is pain defined as?

Everyone has felt or will feel pain at some point in their lives. It is a natural part of being alive, and it’s your body’s response to harmful stimuli. Pain is a nerve signal from the brain that something hurts. When you have pain, the body naturally creates opioids to manage it.

However, if your pain is severe or chronic, your brain can’t produce enough opioids to keep up with the demand. This is why people end up taking medication to supplement natural opioid production. Prescription meds mimic the body’s natural chemicals to relieve pain but do not assist the body in healing. You can consider prescription pain medication as a band-aid of sorts for whatever it is you’re dealing with, because all it does is mask your condition. It does not alleviate or rid you of your problem.

Reasons for experiencing pain

Pain can be due to injury, trauma, or disease. You may end up with back pain due to lifting a heavy object, participating in a sport, a car accident or a disease like arthritis. The symptoms of pain can range from mild and moderate to severe. Pain can occur when you’re doing nothing or are physically active, and it certainly does not discriminate based on age!

You may find yourself resting a lot, not participating in your regular activities or fearful of the pain. You may even have to call in sick at work. Without a doubt, pain has many negative consequences, and it can run your life…but only if you allow it to!

How can physical therapy provide pain relief?

Physical therapy is a safe, holistic, and effective way to alleviate pain. Not only does it relieve a person’s pain symptoms, but it also addresses the root cause of pain. This is the way to solve a pain problem!

A physical therapist performs a comprehensive evaluation, specific tests and reviews your medical history. Through advanced diagnostic procedures, this healthcare professional will find the source of your pain and implement a treatment plan that is geared for mobility and long-term health. Even better, physical therapy is a drug-free alternative to pain meds.

A physical therapist utilizes both passive and active treatments to address pain. Passive treatments may include manual therapy, hot and cold therapy, ultrasound, electric stimulation, water therapy, and soft tissue mobilization. All of these passive treatments increase blood flow, reduce pain and enhance the body’s healing process.

Active treatments include specific exercises and stretching. You’ll engage in specific exercises during sessions and at home. Stretching helps flexibility, movement, and range of motion. With active treatments, you’ll be building muscle tissue to better support your body.

There really is no limit to the benefits of physical therapy, but by the end of your treatment, you can expect to experience a greater range of motion, improved flexibility, reduction or elimination of pain levels, and a better sense of wellbeing from knowing that you’re in control of your pain, not the other way around!

Natural relief is waiting for you…

If you’re suffering from acute or chronic pain, be sure to contact us today to make an appointment. This is your first step to leading a pain-free life without pain meds. We’ve helped many other people with pain and can help you, too. Natural relief is waiting for you, so what are you waiting for?

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Are You Ready to Leave the Pain Meds Behind? Physical Therapy Can Provide You With the Relief You Need

Did You Know Physical Therapy Has Proven to Be Even More Effective Than Opioids?

It seems like every time you turn on the news there is another story about the opioid epidemic gripping the country.

There is good reason for the panic. In 2016 alone, 116 people died each day from opioid-related drug overdoses. Some 11.5 million Americans misused prescription painkillers in some way, costing an estimated $504 million in economic costs.

Some researchers even feel that many people who would otherwise be able to work are sidelined because they would fail a drug test. As mind-blowing as these numbers are, to a person who uses prescription pain medication for pain relief, opioids may seem like the only option.

Fortunately, there is another way to manage your pain. Contact Rehab Advantage & Sports Medicine today to find out more about how physical therapy can help you ditch the pain meds for good.

The benefits of physical therapy

A physical therapist’s job is not only to manage pain, but also to improve function. Your physical therapy program may include stretches, ultrasound, manual therapies and a combination of ice and heat for pain relief, but it will not stop there.

Your physical therapist will begin to address mobility, flexibility and strength as they apply to the activities of your daily life.

If you are one of the more than 116 million people who struggle with chronic pain, chances are you are also limited in your ability to walk, stand, run, move, work, play and perform daily activities.

Physical therapists address all of these functions and more as they work with you to strengthen your body, improve your balance and stability and enhance your quality of life.

The unintended benefits of physical therapy don’t stop with the body. They reach your brain as well. Chronic pain and prescription pain medication use can lead to anxiety, depression and isolation.

Working with a physical therapist gives you a partner in your pain relief journey. This sense of community can help address the mental toll pain takes on a person in a way that opioids cannot.

Understanding the natural healing methods of physical therapy

Since opioids mask the pain without treating its underlying cause, many people are choosing to forgo pain meds altogether in favor of a more natural treatment.

Fortunately, physical therapy not only helps relieve pain, it addresses what is causing the pain in the first place. A physical therapist is a highly trained medical professional, but he or she also is an expert in the science of movement.

Through advanced diagnostic procedures, your physical therapist can uncover the source of your pain and find ways to address it for long-term health and mobility. Best of all, physical therapy is a drug-free way to manage chronic pain.

Even living with chronic conditions doesn’t mean you need to live with opioids

It is fairly common for people who suffer from arthritis pain to resort to expensive surgery, steroid injections, and prescription medications to cope with their pain. Sometimes, these treatments can actually benefit patients with severe arthritis. More often than not, the better route to go involves physical therapy and natural treatments.

Arthritis does not discriminate either, and although it tends to be found often in elderly patients, it can affect anyone at any age. According to a study on JAMA, “[rheumatoid] arthritis (RA) occurs in about 5 per 1000 people and can lead to severe joint damage and disability.” Arthritis is also one of the top causes of disability in America. If left untreated by a professional, patients suffering from arthritis can experience extremely painful symptoms for long periods of time.

If you want to learn more about how physical therapy can benefit you and decrease your arthritis pain, give our office a call today.

Opioids are never the answer – here’s why

To understand why opioids are so dangerous, you first have to understand how your brain processes pain. Let’s say you bang your knee on the door jamb. Pain receptors in your skin register that something happened to your knee.

Those receptors send signals to your brain and spinal cord. There, your brain processes those signals as pain, and your body produces natural opioids to stop them. These chemicals slow your breathing, create a feeling of well-being, and block pain signals so you can return to a pain-free state.

When you have chronic pain, severe injury, surgery or significant trauma, your brain cannot produce enough opioids to keep up with the demand. Prescription medication mimics the chemicals your body naturally produces, relieving pain, but they do not help your body heal.

Find effective relief today

Don’t join the opioid epidemic. Contact our physical therapist in Dublin, GA today and find out how physical therapy can help you live a full, pain-free, functional life.

Dealing With Stress-Related Headaches? Here’s 3 Ways Physical Therapy Can Help!

Don’t Let Chronic Headaches Get In The Way Anymore.

Did you know that headaches are the third most common pain complaint? It’s true. Headaches are extremely common and can be so debilitating to the point that they impact a person’s quality of life. Dealing with headaches on the daily alone can be very isolating and leave a person feeling exhausted.

Fortunately, through physical therapy, long term relief is possible. A trained physical therapist can help you achieve immediate pain relief from stress-related headaches as well as any other pain conditions or ailments that may be contributing to your discomfort. Below we have outlined the different types of headaches and the causes for them, and explain how physical therapy can help.

Types of Headaches

Most people experience headaches as they grow older. Many headaches go away on their own and don’t need medical intervention. However, severe headaches that recur frequently and interfere with quality of life often demand attention from a professional.

First, you must identify the type of headache you’re experiencing. Then from there, a comprehensive treatment plan can be created according to your specific needs for pain relief. Physical therapists are skilled at diagnosing different types of headaches and can develop simple strategies for pain relief from stress-related headaches.

Below are 10 common types of headaches, according to Healthline.

  • Cluster
  • Hormone
  • Caffeine
  • Migraine or sinus
  • Stress (tension)
  • Post-traumatic
  • Exertion
  • Rebound
  • Hypertension

If you’re unsure what kind of headache you’re experiencing, no problem! Your physical therapist will be able to diagnose and treat it accordingly.

What Are Tension Headaches?

Tension headaches often appear as a result of high-stress levels, poor posture, neck or jaw problems, fatigue, or arthritis. It’s also possible to experience them when feeling anxious or depressed.

Tension headaches occur when the neck and scalp muscles contract or become tense, and people can start experiencing them at any age, although they’re the most common type of headache in adults and older teens.

Stress-related headaches generally start at the back of the head and progress to the top of the head and eyes. Sometimes, you may even feel pain on your face along your jaw and cheeks when experiencing this kind of headache. Many people have compared this type of pain to wearing a tight hat, having their hair tightly pulled back, or having their head squeezed.

How Can a Physical Therapist Help Reduce Stress-Related Headache Pain?

A licensed physical therapist can conduct a complete physical exam of your body and condition, as well as ask you the appropriate questions regarding your health history. He or she will be able to figure out what type of headache you’re experiencing and determine the best way to combat it and bring much-needed pain relief.

During your first visit, you can expect most of the following:

  • Manual therapy to ascertain the mobility of joints and muscles in your neck
  • Examination of your posture while engaged in different activities
  • Tests of your muscle strength
  • Questions regarding previous injuries to your back, jaw, and head areas
  • Questions about the types of pain symptoms experienced
  • Measurements regarding the range of motion of your shoulders, neck and other relevant parts of the body

Depending on whether your physical therapist determines that you’re dealing with stress-related headaches, you will begin to work together to create a care plan that will successfully meet your physical health goals. If your physical therapist’s evaluation determines a different type of headache, he or she will likely refer you to a different type of healthcare professional for treatment.

3 Improvements Physical Therapy Can Make To Reduce Headaches

Although the end goal of physical therapy is pain relief, there are some critical things along the way that your physical therapist will help you address so that you can achieve a decrease in pain.

Some of These Include:

  1. Posture improvement. How your posture is held during the day significantly impacts your pain levels and the likelihood of experiencing a stress-related headache. Your physical therapist will teach you how to improve your posture for a greater quality of life.
  2. Adjusting the way your neck moves. Your physical therapist can use manual therapy to stretch muscles in your neck to relieve pain and increase range of motion.
  3. Improved strength and muscle ability. You’ll learn exercises to help strengthen the muscles that control your upper back and neck. This way your posture will improve, and you’ll be able to sit or stand for long periods without experiencing pain and discomfort.

Methods of Pain Relief

Every individual’s treatment plan is different, but many physical therapists use a lot of the same methods. A few examples are soft tissue mobilization, heat or ice compressions, muscular releases, cervical traction, body mobilization, stretching, strengthening, muscle energy techniques, and McKenzie-based diagnosis and therapy of the spine.

With all treatment plans, you can expect to receive information that will supplement your in-office experience. This way you’ll be able to continue strengthening your muscles at home on your own and speed up your recovery time!

Contact Our Office Today

There’s no reason you need to continue living in constant pain and discomfort with so many treatment options available to you. Contact Rehab Advantage & Sports Medicine today to experience long-lasting pain relief from stress-related headaches and improve your quality of life!

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3 Common Types of Arthritis Physical Therapy Can Treat Without Medications

Say Goodbye To Harmful Medications Today

Arthritis is a pretty common term used to describe over 100 different types of joint pain and disease. Many people believe that arthritis only affects elderly people, but this is far from the truth. According to Healthline, “the symptoms of arthritis usually develop over time, but they may also appear suddenly. Arthritis is most commonly seen in adults over the age of 65, but it can also develop in children, teens, and younger adults. Arthritis is more common in women than men and in people who are overweight.

According to a study published in the American Journal of Sports Medicine, about 30 percent of male athletes who regularly play contact sports such as football, basketball, or soccer will develop arthritis in their knees and hips at some point.

Many people attempt to ease their pain with over-the-counter medications, but unfortunately, these can cause some nasty, long-lasting side effects. Have no fear though, if you’re looking for a natural and safe treatment for arthritis pain, physical therapy is a great option! Contact Rehab Advantage & Sports Medicine today to learn how you can kick your medications while still relieving your arthritis pain.

Physical Therapy Can Relieve All Types of Arthritis Pain!

Metabolic Arthritis: This kind of arthritis is typically caused by reduced kidney function. The most common type of metabolic arthritis is gout, a condition caused by uric acid crystals building up in the joints of the extremities, especially the feet. Physical therapy can help gout patients restore range of motion in the affected area and even reduce the buildup of the acidic crystals that accumulate in the joints.

Inflammatory Arthritis: With some cases of arthritis, the body’s immune system will attack joint tissues and cause intense inflammation. Rheumatoid arthritis is one example of this type of condition. Inflammatory arthritis often stems from a genetic cause, and it is usually treated with heavy doses of drugs and over-the-counter medications. However, depending on the severity of symptoms, physical therapy may be recommended for treatment as well.

Osteoarthritis: Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis. This particular condition is caused by a reduction in joint cartilage as it wears away over time. This degeneration causes bones to rub together, which leads to pain and swelling. Physical therapy can often help to reduce osteoarthritis pain without medication, especially if the arthritis is mild to moderate.

Medications For Arthritis

It’s pretty common for doctors to prescribe an NSAID pain reliever to a patient with arthritis, such as Advil or ibuprofen, antibiotics, corticosteroids, or antirheumatic drugs. Even though these can provide temporary pain relief, they all carry a risk of side effects, some of which can be extremely serious. NSAIDs can cause you to have a higher chance of developing a blood clot, having a stroke or heart attack. Corticosteroids aren’t much better — they contribute to high blood sugar levels, cataracts, and even bone loss, which is the last thing a patient with arthritis needs!

What Does Physical Therapy for Arthritis Include?

Physical therapy is a 100% safe, natural, and effective method of pain management. Your physical therapist will be trained and licensed to handle your condition with care. When you work with a physical therapist to manage arthritis pain, the ultimate goals will include preserving or restoring your normal range of motion, increasing muscle strength to reduce stress on the joints, and other natural treatment options.

Here are some of the benefits of working with our physical therapists:

  • Weight control: Your physical therapist will work with you to control your weight through exercise and diet. Watching your weight prevents added stress on your joints, which is a leading cause of arthritis symptoms.
  • Improved posture: A physical therapist can help you to improve your posture, which will also help to reduce stress on your joints. Sitting and standing up straight does wonders for your pain!
  • Learn new exercises and stretches: Physical therapy treatment typically includes light exercises and stretching to help restore and increase range of motion in the affected painful areas.
  • Better sleep schedule: Your physical therapist will also recommend setting a solid schedule for rest and sleep to complement your exercises. Resting helps the body to heal faster and decrease arthritis inflammation and pain.

Contact Our Office Today To Learn More

You don’t have to live in pain anymore. Whether your arthritis condition is in your hands, knees, or ankles, or whether it has been caused by aging or playing sports, our physical therapists can help you! Keep in mind that every treatment regimen is different based on a patient’s needs and their particular type of arthritis. The best way to get started on a med-free treatment through physical therapy is by calling and scheduling an appointment with one of our therapists at Rehab Advantage & Sports Medicine.

He or she will assess your condition, pinpoint the source of your pain, ask you some health-related questions, and create a specialized treatment plan specifically catered to you and your needs. Say goodbye to harmful medication. Contact Rehab Advantage & Sports Medicine today to get on the road to recovery from arthritis pain!

Kiss Lower Back Pain Goodbye: How Physical Therapy Can Help

Many people suffer from lower back pain and have no idea how to find lasting relief. Dealing with this kind of pain can take time away from relaxing, working, spending time with family, and enjoying life overall. Not to mention it can keep a person feeling extremely irritable, stressed out, and can lead to a variety of other health issues!

The World Health Organization estimates that in the United States, 149 million days of work are lost due to low back pain. Lower back pain is the leading cause of activity limitation and work absence throughout much of the world, imposing a high economic burden on individuals, families, communities, industry, and governments.

If you’re dealing with this kind of pain, there’s no question about it: you want relief and you want it now. A licensed physical therapist can help guide you through the necessary treatment to get back to your daily life, without pain. Contact Rehab Advantage & Sports Medicine today to learn more!

Types of Physical Therapy Treatment

Physical therapy is a specific type of treatment that targets the management of disabilities and injuries. A physical therapist is skilled at alleviating all kinds of pain, including back pain. Physical therapy encourages healing and is a great treatment option to restore range of motion and functional mobility. These types of therapists are trained and knowledgeable regarding conservative management techniques including the rehabilitation of patients with neurologic, cardiovascular, and orthopedic conditions.

There are typically two main parts of every physical therapy program — passive physical therapy and active physical therapy — even though each patient receives a customized treatment plan specific to their condition. Passive physical therapy reduces a patient’s pain levels and makes them more manageable. Active physical therapy involves exercises that patients do independently.

How Does Passive Physical Therapy Benefit You?

Lower back pain can be so debilitating that you can’t be as active as you normally are. It can get in the way of literally everything! Because of this, it is imperative for a physical therapist to decrease your pain as much as possible so that you can start participating in your treatment.

These techniques and tools are commonly referred to as passive therapy because they are done to a patient by a physical therapist.

  • Manual therapies
  • Massage
  • Electrical stimulation, such as TENS Units
  • Heat/ice packs
  • Ultrasound
  • Iontophoresis
  • Dry needling
  • Hydrotherapy

Some of these methods (such as hot/cold packs and massage therapy) are used to improve blood flow and restore circulation to the affected area, thereby reducing pain and inflammation.

Physical therapists also often use electrical stimulation therapy. This is a non-invasive, painless treatment that delivers electrical waves through your nervous system to reduce muscle spasms, and encourage your body to produce pain-relieving hormones.

Physical therapy also includes hydrotherapy treatment. This kind of treatment involves performing low-intensity movements in water to relieve pressure on muscles. Water allows you to move your joints without discomfort.

How Does Active Physical Therapy Benefit You?

Active physical therapy is different from passive because it involves exercises the patient must do, instead of actions being performed on the patient by the therapist. These exercises are normally utilized later in treatment, once your lower back pain has been decreased enough for you to do them without experiencing too much discomfort.

There are tons of exercises that your physical therapist might recommend. Many of them involve targeted stretches, stability training, and strength training. Some of these exercises can improve your range of motion, and others can build up and restore the muscles around affected areas to provide those parts of the body with proper support.

What to Expect During Your Physical Therapy Appointment

Upon your first visit to our clinic, your physical therapist will ask you many health related questions about your medical history and lower back pain. Allowing them to have this information will help your therapist provide you with the best treatment plan so that you experience long-lasting results.

Your therapist will also conduct a thorough examination of your body. Depending on your symptoms, your physical therapist might assess your flexibility, strength, balance, posture, coordination, blood pressure, and heart and respiration rates. They might use their hands to touch and evaluate your back and surrounding areas to check for tightness. They will also visually assess your mobility.

During your treatment, your physical therapist will provide you with special exercises to perform at home so that you can minimize pain, avoid re-injury, lessen strain, and speed up your recovery time. They may also recommend certain technology or equipment that can aid you in recovery, and spend time educating you about where your source of pain is coming from, as well as pain management strategies.

If you’re ready to alleviate (or even eliminate!) your pain, contact Rehab Advantage to learn more about how physical therapy can help you live a pain-free life.

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Proper Nutrition Can Reduce Pain and Inflammation

Are We Really What We Eat?

If you’re seeing a physical therapist already for internal inflammation, then you already know that this is a condition that can seriously affect your overall health. Whether you have a specific diagnosis for your inflammation (such as osteoarthritis) or you’re not entirely sure what’s causing your pain in your back and joints, physical therapy can help.

According to Harvard Health, chronic inflammation can also lead to a variety of health ailments such as heart disease and diabetes. Eating healthy is one way to reduce inflammation. Your physical therapist might recommend a diet high in anti-inflammatory foods for additional pain relief. Read on to learn more about what kinds of foods cause inflammation, and what foods you should be eating to reduce inflammation as well!

What Foods Cause Inflammation?

Oftentimes, people choose convenience over health when it comes to what they eat. One of the fastest ways to reverse inflammation caused by an unhealthy diet is to stop consuming the foods associated with it! This means that if you want ultimate pain relief, you will need to adjust how you view preparing meals and what snacks you’re eating throughout the day.

You might be reading this and groaning, “I already know I eat so many things that aren’t good for me! I just ate an oatmeal cream pie an hour ago!” This is the truth — you probably do already know that sugary foods are bad for your waistline and your heart, so that’s no surprise there. Whether your favorite snack foods are overly sweet or salty, it’s time to start slowly easing them out of your meals and opting for healthier snacks in between.

Junk food and processed packaged meals are full of added sugar, preservatives, and unhealthy trans fat. You should also avoid eating too much red meat, fried foods, doughnuts, pastries, white rice, and white bread. These are some of the worst options for you to eat if you’re particularly sensitive to inflammation and painful flare-ups.

What Can You Replace Inflammatory Foods With?

Have no fear, there are plenty of health and easy alternatives to eating overly processed, unhealthy meals. You can swap out white bread with whole-grain, white rice with brown rice, and semolina pasta with garbanzo bean pasta! Instead of having a hamburger for lunch, turn to better options such as fish, chicken, or veggie burgers.

Make sure that if you’re taking fish oil pils for omega-3 inflammation protection, you’re also adding more actual fish to your diet! The fish that have the highest Omega-3 fats are herring, salmon, trout, sardines, mackerel and tuna. All of these may provide some pain relief when inflammation is the culprit.

Knowing how to properly prepare your food in an anti-inflammatory diet is important as well. You should not fry foods or order fried foods for take out or when you go to a restaurant. Instead, choose foods that have been grilled, roasted, or steamed!

Instead of heaping on side dishes containing creamy sauces or dressings, opt for salads and greens with tomato salsa, vinaigrettes, greek yogurt, lemon juice, fruit salsa, or herbal olive oil.

Herbs, Spices, Supplements: Oh My!

When you’re searching for healthy substitutions, look for more nutritional foods and options that will make a direct impact on your inflammation and swelling. Add these to what you’re eating every week, and see if your health improves overall in response.

Many herbs, spices, and supplements are anti-inflammatory and can provide exceptional pain relief. Fish oil and multivitamin pills are two supplements that are known for their anti-inflammatory properties. Choosing a good herbal supplement such as green tea, cat’s claw, devil’s claw, and boswellia are great ways to develop a healthier diet. Turmeric and fresh or powdered ginger are also good options to sprinkle on foods or steep as a soothing beverage. There are tons of great recipes out there for herbal drinks as well!

Eating Fruits & Veggies Is Key

Have you ever noticed how the colors of recommended fruits and vegetables create a rainbow? This “rainbow” of fruits and vegetables is excellent for heart health and boosted immunity. Eating colorful foods also fights inflammation. Try to fit more colorful fruits and vegetables into your diet. Dark green veggies like spinach and kale, orange veggies such as sweet potatoes and carrots, red and purple foods like tomatoes and beets, and yellow ones like corn and sweet peppers are excellent choices to slip into your meals and snack dishes.

Contact Our Physical Therapy Office Today!

It’s true that nutrition and a healthy diet can help combat inflammation, but that’s not all! It’s important to consult with a physical therapist about other ways to reduce inflammation and pain, as well as stay in flexible shape. Physical therapists can teach you how your exercise routine can be adjusted to fit with your dietary changes. Together, these changes will reduce your pain and inflammation that causes you discomfort. Contact Rehab Advantage today to learn more about how physical therapy and an anti-inflammatory diet can make a difference in your life!

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Let Physical Therapy Save You From Arthritis Pain!

Your Days of Living In Pain Are Over

Do You Have Arthritis Pain?

Have you been consistently suffering from pain in your lower back, knees, hands, hips, or joints? The culprit might be arthritis. Arthritis is a joint disorder causing pain, stiffness, swelling, and inflammation. In the case that only a single joint is inflamed, the condition is known as monoarthritis. If two or three joints are involved, it’s referred to as oligoarthritis. Many people struggling with arthritis experience a loss of movement or a decrease in their range of motion, because their joints are just too swollen to move.

If you are struggling with joint pain or arthritis, you might tend to lean on over the counter medications for relief, but this is only temporary. What you need is a safe, natural, long-lasting pain relief. Physical therapy can provide this for you! Contact Rehab Advantage & Sports Medicine today to learn more about physical therapy and how a customized treatment plan could be the answer you’ve been looking for.

Types of Arthritis

There are over 100 types of arthritis. Below is a list of some of the most common ones and what part of the body they affect the most.

  1. Osteoarthritis. This condition occurs due to wear and tear of the cartilage. It typically affects the spine, hands, knees, and hips.
  2. Rheumatoid arthritis. This results from an overactive immune system. It affects the hands, feet, elbows, wrists, knees, and ankles.
  3. Psoriatic arthritis. Psoriatic arthritis typically affects large joints, causing inflammation in the places where tendons and ligaments connect to bone.
  4. Gout. This condition is extremely painful and occurs when there is an increased level of uric acid in your bloodstream.

Arthritis is the most common chronic illness in the nation. According to Arthritis.org, “More than 50 million adults and 300,000 children have some type of arthritis. It is most common among women and occurs more frequently as people get older.” This is most likely why there is a misconception that arthritis only affects the elderly.

Arthritis can render people unable to work, and many suffering from it are forced to go on disability. Arthritic pain can seriously interrupt a person’s routine, quality of life, and overall mobility.

Physical therapy for arthritic pain has been proven by research to be highly effective. If you suffer from arthritic pain be sure to call Rehab Advantage & Sports Medicine to schedule an appointment with one of our skilled physical therapists.

How Arthritis is Diagnosed

When you visit your physical therapist for the first time, he or she will examine your joints for deformity and inflammation, look for signs of disease and review your history of symptoms. They might also order blood or urine tests, x-rays, or joint fluid tests.

The earlier your arthritis is caught and diagnosed, the better chance you have of keeping your strength and mobility later in life. Early diagnosis can prevent disability and irreversible damage. Your physical therapist will recommend exercise routines, medications, and rest. It’s important that you do the proper, safe exercises to avoid injury, so make sure you listen up when your physical therapist is giving you tips!

How Physical Therapy Treatment Can Help Arthritis

Physical therapy is all about engaging in physical activity and exercise to improve your overall health. Getting regular physical activity is essential to achieving the maximum levels of both physical and mental health, and it is critical for the management of arthritis.

A physical therapist will create a treatment program that addresses all areas of the body. For example, if you suffer from arthritis pain in the knee an exercise program will address the lower back, hip, and ankle, in addition to the knee. This is because all of these areas contribute to proper knee control. Proper lifting and squatting techniques may also be a part of the treatment plan as well as carrying heavy objects the right way so you can learn how to reduce unnecessary strain on your back.

Your physical therapy treatment might also include manual therapy with soft tissue mobilization, deep tissue massage, TENS, ice packs, and heat therapy. All of these treatments are passive modalities that reduce inflammation, increase blood circulation, reduce pain and enhance mobility and range of motion.

All around, physical therapy is a safe, natural, and noninvasive method for arthritis pain.

Contact Our Office Today!

Arthritis pain can be exhausting, miserable, and debilitating for those who suffer from it. It’s even worse that as of today, there is no cure for it. However, thankfully we have physical therapy as an option, which is a safe, natural, and noninvasive method for arthritis pain.

A physical therapist will be able to customize a therapeutic exercise program to improve your mobility and strength. If you’re suffering from arthritis pain, be sure to schedule an appointment with one of our certified physical therapists. We are 100% committed to your success. Our research-driven treatments will help you get fast pain relief, and get your life back on track!

7 Easy Ways To Improve Your Physical Health

Making Small Changes Can Increase Your Fitness Levels

Most people believe that in order to stay fit they have to dedicate hours every day to working out or visiting the gym. This is why many of us find ourselves saying that we have no time to exercise! However, exercising and staying physically fit doesn’t have to take hours out of your day. There are a few basic elements you can incorporate into your daily routine that will add up to a healthier, more active lifestyle.

Contact Rehab Advantage & Sports Medicine today to learn more tips and tricks to become a healthier you!

1. Go The Long Way

We know — taking the shortest, fastest route typically makes your day way faster and easier. However, ask yourself if the time you saved by parking a few spaces away from the front of the store really added any value to your health. See if you can make a game out of parking as far away as possible (preferably the end of the parking lot!) so that you have to push your shopping cart or carry your bag a greater distance. When you’re at work, unless you’re seriously late for a meeting, take the stairs instead of the elevator!

2. Use Footsteps as Currency For Lunch

If you’re at work, choosing a healthy restaurant or marketplace for lunch instead of going to the cafeteria is a great option. Pack your lunch? No problem. If there aren’t any eateries around, go on a short 15-20 minute walk before you return to your brown-bag lunch. For those of you working from home or retired, taking a walk around your neighborhood or to a local grocery store to gather ingredients for lunch is fine too. Living out in the country or the suburbs? Pretend that your daily walk is the “fee” you have to pay in order to get into your kitchen and make that sandwich.

3. Opt For a Standing Desk

You might be thinking “A standing desk? But don’t all desks stand?” A standing desk is a desk that allows you to stand up while you’re working! It’s much healthier to stand in place and work than it is to sit for 8 hours a day in front of your computer. You burn more calories, you hunch less (eliminating shoulder nad neck pain), and your fitness levels are boosted significantly. This is because your blood sugar will remain more steady after a meal, which encourages more movement. There are tons of brands out there that sell standing desks as well as collapsible extensions you can place on your regular desk when you’d like to take a break from sitting all day.

4. Use Chores As An Excuse To Get Fit

Did you know that 20 or 30 minutes of chores a day equates to a much cleaner, organized space? You can get a ton of dishes done in that time, not to mention sweeping, vacuuming, mopping, or weeding your garden! These tasks can be dreaded however, if you remember that doing them also burns calories and strengthens your core, it might help you feel more eager to attack them!

5. Trick Yourself Into Running Errands

You can trick yourself into getting up and moving around. Use a smaller glass for water or a smaller mug for tea. This way you will most likely have to return to your kitchen more often for a refill. You can also make a point to go down the hall to ask a coworker for office supplies or make a trip upstairs in your building to talk to someone in HR about your vacation hours. Trying out fitness technology can be really motivating as well — if our Fitbits have taught us anything, it’s that a hundred extra steps here and there really do add up over the course of the day!

6. Keep Fitness Equipment & Tools Nearby

Put your yoga mat or your 5-pound weights under your bed or in an area you walk into often. Hang your resistance bands on a hook in your kitchen or laundry room. This way you’ll see them when you walk into that room and you’ll be more likely to do a few reps and exercises while watching TV or waiting for your food to cook!

7. Physical Therapy Is Always An Option

According to The National Institute of Health, being active has been shown to have many health benefits, both physically and mentally. It may even help you live longer. If you find yourself avoiding physical activity because you’re in pain, know that there’s help out there for you.

Physical therapy can address your various aches and pains that are keeping you from getting the right amount of exercise you need. Many physical therapist sessions are considered a work out themselves because of all the stretches and exercise your therapist will have you complete. This can also help you meet your weekly cardio or endurance goals.

Your physical therapist will also give you daily tips for changing up your everyday habits for a healthier, more active lifestyle. He or she will review your normal routine and offer advice on how you can incorporate more fitness activities and exercise into it. If you suffer from chronic pain, your PT can show you how moving in certain ways can reduce or even eliminate your physical challenges.

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Fitting more activity into your life doesn’t need to be difficult. Contact Rehab Advantage & Sports Medicine today to see how physical therapy can help you live a pain-free and more active life!

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Physical Therapy for Non-Pharmaceutical Arthritis Pain Management

Stiffness and discomfort don’t have to be a part of our daily lives — and yet many people assume that they’re doomed to suffer from arthritis pain. If you’ve been losing more and more of your mobility and productivity due to chronic joint inflammation, you may be disappointed by the usefulness of painkilling drugs or even alarmed by the potential dangers of such drugs. Fortunately, you have a safer, more effective path toward arthritis pain management: physical therapy.

How and Why Arthritis Causes Pain and Stiffness

Arthritis includes an entire family of painful joint conditions. For some individuals, it may take the form of painful gout in a toe joint; in others, it can strike due to a bacterial joint infection. The majority of arthritis suffers, however, suffer from one of two agonizing conditions:

  • Osteoarthritis – This most common form of arthritis is usually a natural consequence of a lifetime of joint motion, coupled with certain changes that take place during aging. Healthy joints contain not only a lubricating fluid to keep the bone ends moving smoothly, but also a layer of cartilage that acts as a shock absorber and anti-friction component. Over time, however, the production of lubricating fluid can start to dry up, while the cartilage becomes thinner and more worn until it finally breaks down completely. This leaves you with pain, stiffness, and inflammation that usually feels worse whenever you try to move or put weight on the joint.
  • Rheumatoid arthritis – This form of arthritis is caused by an auto-immune disease or dysfunction. The same protective mechanisms that normally fight off disease germs decide to turn on your joints, treating them as the enemy and attacking them. This results in painful inflammation that may come and go, leaving joint swelling and deformity in its wake.

Many arthritis sufferers naturally turn to medication in the hopes that it will ease their symptoms. NSAIDs, steroids and (and in the most severe cases) opioid drugs may produce such relief, but only temporarily. These drugs can’t address the physical problems that actually cause your symptoms; they can only mute the symptoms themselves. What’s more, painkilling and anti-inflammatory drugs can pose significant risks if they’re used constantly. NSAIDs can damage the internal organs, while steroids may contribute to everything from cataracts to osteoporosis. Opioids can be extremely dangerous, not only because of their addictive properties but also because overdoses can (and often do) prove fatal.

Our Physical Therapist Can Develop Customized Pain Management Plans

If you want an arthritis pain management plan that improves your health without presenting you with the dangers of drugs, turn to physical therapy. Our physical therapist can examine your joints to see how advanced your arthritis has become and how it may be affecting your stance, gait or mobility. You’ll then receive a customized pain management plan that may include:

  • Exercise – Exercise can aid arthritis sufferers by boosting circulation, easing inflammation, strengthening joint tissues and increasing range of motion. It can help you improve your balance, if that’s become a problem for you.
  • Physiotherapy techniques – You may benefit from massage therapy, cold/heat therapy or laser therapy.
  • Corrective devices – Your physical therapist can recommend specialized insoles and train you in the use of devices such as walkers or canes.
  • Lifestyle guidance – Your physical therapist can recommend specific changes to your everyday ergonomics or lifestyle that will ease your pain.

Don’t just numb your arthritis pain — manage it the smart, safe, effective way. Contact Rehab Advantage & Sports Medicine today!

Stand Up to Your Back Pain with Physical Therapy Relief

Most Americans will suffer temporary back pain at some point in their lives. When back pain is not temporary, however, it becomes a major quality of life issue. The good news is that you don’t have to live with back pain permanently. Taking a proactive approach like working with a physical therapist can help you find back pain relief at long last. Contact Rehab Advantage & Sports Medicine for more information on how physical therapy can relieve your back pain.

Types of Back Pain

There are three main types of back pain:

  • Acute Back Pain: Acute back pain is the most common type. This is a temporary pain that goes away in less than three months.
  • Recurrent Back Pain: This occurs when acute back pain goes away for a while, but then comes back periodically.
  • Chronic Back Pain: If back pain lasts longer than three months without subsiding, it is classified as chronic.

Back pain is usually not serious and will resolve on its own. Recurring pain and chronic pain, however, can be a sign of a more serious health problem. There is a broad range of potential physical conditions that could be causing your back pain, which include osteoporosis, degenerative disk disease, a herniated disk, fractures or lumbar spinal stenosis.

Diagnosing Back Pain with a Physical Therapist

Your journey with a physical therapist will start with a discussion of your symptoms. Your therapist will also review your medical history for any past injuries or illnesses that could be contributing to your current pain. Your physical therapist will also conduct an exam to assess how you are able to move and function as a result of your back pain.

The diagnosis phase will also involve some tests to find symptoms of more serious conditions. If your physical therapist suspects that there is a serious health condition contributing to your back pain, you will likely be referred to a specialist for more testing. In most cases, this will not be necessary.

Physical Therapy for Back Pain

Once your back pain has been diagnosed, a personalized course of physical therapy will be outlined for you. Treatments for back pain will vary based on the diagnosis, your age, weight, physical ability and other factors. Your course of treatment may include any of the following:

  • Stretching and strength-building exercises
  • Manual therapy and spinal manipulation to improve joint mobility and relieve tissue pain
  • Education on how to take better care of your back, such as proper methods of lifting, bending, sitting and sleep positions
  • Hot or cold treatments, or electrical stimulation, for pain relief
  • Posture work to provide better support for your back

Physical Therapy Strategies for Back Pain

Over the course of your work with a physical therapist, your progress will be monitored to ensure that you are recovering. The goal is to eliminate the back pain so that you can live a normal life. A big part of working with a physical therapist is that you will learn strategies for movement and carrying out daily tasks in ways that will prevent the pain from recurring.

For example, your therapist will show you proper posture techniques while you are at home, at work or enjoying leisure activities. You will also learn how to keep up a regular exercise regimen to keep your supportive muscles strong, which will prevent the back pain from coming back. If your weight is contributing to your back pain, you will learn nutritional advice in addition to exercise to control your weight and keep back pain at bay.

The key is to be proactive in standing up to your back pain. If the pain lasts longer than three months, it probably won’t go away on its own. Contact Rehab Advantage & Sports Medicine today to schedule your first appointment with a physical therapist.