Opioids Don’t Need to Be the Answer for Arthritis Pain Relief

Find Relief for Your Joint Pain the Natural Way!

Arthritis is a general term that actually encompasses hundreds of different diseases. Whether you have osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, or any other type of arthritis, two of the primary symptoms are inflammation and joint pain.

Whatever type of arthritis you suffer from, you’re likely struggling to overcome varying degrees of pain. If you are taking opioids for arthritis pain, we’re here to let you know that there is a better option.

Find relief with physical therapy

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, including:

  • Ergonomic 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.
  • Assistive devices – During physical therapy treatment you can also learn how to correctly use devices such as braces, canes, or walkers.
  • Targeted 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.
  • Electrical stimulation – 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.
  • Manual therapy – 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.

If you’re struggling with arthritis pain, a trained physical therapist can work with you to increase your mobility while decreasing pain.

What should I know about opioids?

Opioids are powerful narcotics that work to cause numb relief. They have the ability to bind to the brain’s opioid receptors and to limit the messages of pain sent to the brain. Both oxycodone and morphine are considered to be opioids.

While opioid drugs may be beneficial when carefully used over a short period of time, they are not without serious drawbacks. They are highly addictive and they often interact with other drugs. Approximately 42,000 deaths related to opioid overdoses occurred in 2016.

If you are currently taking some type of opioid for your arthritis pain, it is important to know that there is a safer alternative that can reduce and even eliminate pain.

Is arthritis impacting your everyday life?

If you’re struggling with osteoarthritis, you’re likely to experience pain, stiffness, and limited flexibility. Rheumatoid arthritis may cause similar symptoms and may affect organs in the body.

Psoriatic arthritis and gout are also types of arthritis that can cause varying levels of pain, inflammation, and mobility. Arthritis pain may affect even the simplest of daily activities.

Washing, cooking, and walking up and down the stairs can prove difficult with any of these types of arthritis. The severity of the pain may also change on a daily basis. Because of this, it can become too easy to rely on powerful pain medications to cope with arthritis pain.

What else should I consider?

It is quite common for people who have arthritis pain to resort to expensive surgery, steroid injections, and prescription medications to cope with their pain.

Sometimes, patients with severe arthritis may benefit from these treatments. However, more often than not, physical therapy and natural treatments are the best route to take.

Arthritis does not discriminate either, and although it is often found 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 leading causes of disability in the United States. If left untreated by a professional, patients with arthritis may experience extremely painful symptoms over a long period of time.

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

Get started today

Even if you are already taking opioids, an individualized physical therapy program may help you reduce the amount of medication you are taking.

To find out how you can reduce arthritis pain, contact our Dublin, GA office to set up an appointment with a physical therapist!

5 Ways to Stay Active at Your Sedentary Desk Job

Finding ways to stay active can be difficult regardless of your weekly schedule, but when your nine-to-five grind means sitting at a desk for 40+ hours every week, the idea of developing an active lifestyle can seem almost laughably unachievable! On average, most of us spend eight hours a day at a desk, two hours a day driving, and somewhere between six to eight hours each evening in bed! This doesn’t even count the time we’re probably spending on the couch or sitting at the table for a meal. Spending one hour at the gym every day could still mean spending 23 hours every day in a sedentary position.

Finding ways to be more active during your workday could help you to add significantly more activity to your day, thereby helping you to live a more active lifestyle. Searching for even 30 – 60 minutes of time to fit physical activity and exercise into your daily schedule may seem challenging on its own, but when you break down how much that amount of activity can improve your overall lifestyle, you have to start to ask if that is even enough. So, how much physical activity are we really fitting into our schedules?

If you are struggling to find ways to break away from your sedentary lifestyle, there’s a simple solution to your problem: physical therapy! Physical therapy can help you learn a few basic activities that you can try at home, but what’s stopping you from incorporating these healthy activities into your work day?

Staying active during your work day

  1. Invest in an ergonomic standing desk or chair. Swap out your traditional desk and desk chair for healthier alternatives, such as a standing desk, or an exercise / stability ball instead of a desk chair.
  2. Stretching. Try doing basic stretches at your desk. You can easily try breaking down a problem while standing up and stretching for a few minutes without having to take your mind off your work. This is a great way to get your blood flowing, which could get those creative juices flowing, thereby actually helping you to solve issues that may leave you feeling stressed or stumped while crouched at your desk.
  3. Take breaks to walk around. Take a 5 minute break every hour to walk a lap around the office. This could be a great time to go and make copies, to take a quick lap to talk with a co-worker rather than send an email, or to stretch your legs for a few minutes so that you can clear your mind before heading to a meeting.
  4. Bring in a bit of small workout equipment to keep at your desk. This can include a lightweight dumbbell, which you can use to do some minor lifting while sitting at your desk, or even something like a resistance band. There are some fun gripping devices that work similarly to stress balls, helping you to work on developing a stronger grip without even standing up.
  5. Try the “half-hour” challenge. Set an alarm on your phone or computer to go off every 30 minutes. Once it goes off, you will have to complete a two-minute physical activity challenge in your office space. You can try walking or jogging in place, doing jumping jacks, lunges, push-ups, or even wall sits.

Working out every day for one hour really isn’t enough in the long run. Try to be creative and find new ways to make yourself get up out of your chair during the day. We totally understand that after an hour of sitting, you might lose track of time and not be fully aware of how long you’ve been inactive, but it’s important to be mindful of your body’s needs throughout the day. Being active throughout the workday is a great way to get started with living a more active lifestyle.

Once you start incorporating activity throughout your day, you may find you have more energy to incorporate it into your non-working hours, as well. As you become more active, remember to stay hydrated!

Keeping a large water bottle on your work desk and taking regular sips throughout the day can help you to stay hydrated and energized, not to mention refilling your bottle is yet another excuse to get up and get moving!

Ready to rise to the challenge? Call us today

Staying active throughout the workday can help with improving muscle strength, supporting weight loss efforts, and even with overcoming pain from stiffness that often comes along with a sedentary lifestyle. Inactivity is known to cause pain and inflammation over time. You can, and should, avoid future problems at all costs! Take care of your body, and it will reward you over time.

To learn more about maintaining a healthy lifestyle and improving your overall well-being, consult with a physical therapist.

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4 Ways A Proper Diet Can Relieve Your Aches & Pains

According to the World Health Organization, 60% of factors related to your health and quality of life are directly related to your lifestyle choices. One of the most important lifestyle choices you can make is choosing to buy and eat healthier foods! Do you have chronic pain? If so, you may want to take a closer look at what’s in your grocery cart, fridge, and pantry, because it turns out your diet could be making your pain better or worse.

At our clinic, our physical therapist staff is happy to educate patients about ways to make smarter dietary decisions, so they can control their pain more effectively. When combined with regular exercise and a customized physical therapy plan that addresses underlying injury and illness, a healthy diet can truly do wonders for your function and quality of life. Call us today to learn more about adopting a healthy exercise and diet routine to manage your chronic pain.

Tips to point you in the right direction…

Here are four ways you can start making positive changes to your health today.

1. Improve your tissue and joint health by drinking enough water

It’s important to hydrate yourself on a daily basis. Make sure you’re not only drinking coffee and tea. Drinking water helps keep your joints lubricated and can prevent stiffness and achiness. Water is also important for helping your body flush out toxins and metabolic waste products that may be associated with inflammation.

So drink up! Aim for at least one-third to one-half of your body weight in fluid ounces of fresh water per day. Try to keep a refillable water bottle with you during the day to remind you to stay hydrated!

2. Watch how much you’re eating

The amount of food you eat should be enough to support exercise and a lean body weight. If you aren’t eating enough food, you’ll have low energy levels and you won’t be able to build strong muscles to support your joints and keep you moving.

On the other hand, if you consume too much food, you run the risk of becoming overweight, which has been shown to be a risk factor for inflammation and chronic pain. Excess weight also places you at a higher risk for developing type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease and strokes, certain types of cancer, and sleep apnea.

3. Eat foods that combat inflammation

Acute inflammation (such as what happens when you stub your toe or pull a muscle) is a normal and healthy response of the immune system. However, there’s a problem when an acute reaction turns into a chronic, or constant, state. it’s as if your body goes into high alert—and pain is one of the major alarms!

To support tissue healing and anti-inflammation, be sure to eat plenty of healthy foods and nutrients like:

  • Omega-3 fatty acids, which you can get from quality supplements and also foods like fish, eggs, and nuts.
  • Healthy protein, found in lean meats and other animal products as well as certain plants (protein contains amino acids, which are the building blocks of tissues and cells).
  • Vitamins and minerals, including Vitamin C and magnesium, are found in supplements, leafy green vegetables, and fruits.

4. Avoid foods that increase inflammation

Just like there are foods you should eat to combat existing inflammation, there are also foods you can stop eating to avoid inflammation altogether. Chronic inflammation is a major factor underlying most health conditions, including chronic pain conditions like arthritis, fibromyalgia, migraine headaches, and more.

By avoiding foods known to promote inflammation, you’ll be able to improve your gut and immune health, absorb more tissue-healthy nutrients from the foods you do eat, and reduce inflammation, pain, and stiffness throughout your body.

The most common pro-inflammatory foods in our diets include:

  • Sugar
  • Gluten
  • Dairy products
  • Trans fats

If you have chronic pain, avoid or eliminate these foods for a certain amount of time and see how your body responds. You might be amazed at how much better you’ll feel without these substances in your diet! Remember, we are what we eat, so we should make our meals healthy!

Ready to learn more about a nutrient-rich diet?

If you’re dealing with chronic pain and inflammation, the answer to your problem could be solved by a change in what you’re putting on your plate. Contact our physical therapist team today to schedule an appointment and learn how you can combat or even eliminate your pain through a healthy and well-balanced diet.

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Do You Know What’s Causing Your Back Pain? It Could be a Herniated Disc

Discover How Physical Therapy Can Help You Relieve Herniated Disc Pain

Back pain is one of the most common complaints among Americans. Whether you experience occasional pain in your back or deal with recurrent chronic back pain, it can make it extremely difficult to complete your daily tasks. But have you ever wondered if your back pain was a sign of a more serious condition? The spine is made up of a complex series of bones called vertebrae. There are cushioning pads between each of the vertebrae that act as shock absorbers, making bending, walking, and moving around in general every day possible without pain. But if these little cushioning discs are injured, the soft center can actually rupture and cause severe pain. This type of injury is often referred to as a herniated disc, and while there is no cure for the condition, physical therapy can help manage chronic pain.

What does PT for herniated discs look like?

When experiencing back pain, it can be tempting to simply visit your general physician in search of a quick solution.

However, in many cases, all that a general physician can offer in the way of pain relief is a prescription for painkillers. Alternatively, an experienced physical therapist can offer a variety of treatment options that are designed to target the root cause of your reoccurring back pain.

Some of the most common treatment options recommended by our physical therapist for herniated disc pain include:

  • Ultrasound therapy or electrical muscle stimulation for fast pain relief and deep penetration of the targeted area
  • Alternating treatment with ice and heat to reduce inflammation and soothe sore muscles.
  • Therapeutic massage to help ease sore muscles
  • Aerobic exercises like walking or using a stationary bicycle
  • Stretching exercises that help to keep the muscles in the back flexible

Why did I develop a herniated disc?

The spinal column is formed by a group of bones. The cervical spine consists of seven bones, the lumbar spine has five, and the thoracic spine has twelve. Each disc has a gelatinous inner section and a strong outer ring. If the disc protrudes through the outer ring, it is known as a herniated disc. This can lead to numbness, discomfort and pain.

The vertebrae and cushioning discs in the spinal column can become injured in a variety of different ways.

However, when dealing with a herniated disc, injuries are most often the result of:

  • Improper lifting resulting in sudden strain
  • Work-related or overuse injuries where the spine has been twisted violently
  • Excessive weight gain and obesity
  • The natural aging process or degeneration

The herniated disc can be caused by a variety of causes, including movements such as turning or twisting. Another offender is moving heavy objects. Weight can also cause herniated discs, as it causes the need for discs to bear more weight. According to Healthline, men are also at a higher risk of developing a herniated disc than women.

How can I tell if I have a herniated disc?

Herniated discs are one of the most common back pain complaints. They typically occur in people aged 35 to 55 years but can affect physical therapy patients of all ages.

Herniated disc pain presents itself in a variety of ways depending on a person’s age, body type, and physical condition.

In certain cases, a herniated disc may show no outward symptoms at all. But for those dealing with recurring pain from a herniated disc, the following symptoms are also common:

  • Neck spasms affecting the muscles in the neck and shoulder area.
  • Neck pain that stays centered in the back and side areas of the neck. This type of pain can increase in severity when bending or turning the neck.
  • Pain radiating out from the shoulder, arm, and sometimes traveling down to the hands and fingers.
  • Pain in the shoulder blade area.

Schedule your appointment today!

If you have had recurrent back pain or pain near your neck or shoulder, it may be a sign of a herniated disc.

By using targeted treatments and physical therapy exercises, our physical therapist can help you manage your herniated disc pain and prevent the use of prescription drugs or more invasive treatment options for pain.

Please contact us today for more information and to schedule an initial consultation!

It’s Time To End Your Battle With Chronic Joint Pain

If your joints have been bothering you for a few months, know that you’re not alone. Joint pain plagues an increasing number of aging, often arthritic Americans. As a matter of fact, a report from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that in 2002, about 10.5 million people in the United States said they battled severe joint pain, but by 2014 that number had jumped to 14.6 million. That’s a pretty big leap, and it certainly leaves a lot of room for concern. The question now is, what exactly can be done to combat the painful effects of this ever-growing condition? The answer just might be physical therapy. If you have chronic joint pain, don’t ignore it or assume it will go away on its own. Give our office a call and set up an appointment with one of our certified physical therapists.

What is chronic joint pain?

Chronic joint pain refers to “discomfort, aches, and soreness in any of the body’s joints.” Joint pain is common, but thankfully doesn’t usually require a hospital visit. The joints form where the ends of two bones meet, such as the elbow, knee and hip. Its components stabilize the joint and allow it to move freely. The joint components have a capsule, which is a sac that holds the joint. It’s filled with synovial fluid for lubrication.

There is also cartilage that covers the ends of the bones in the specific joint. Chronic joint pain lasts for months and can even last a lifetime. Pain may range from moderate to severe and can be extremely debilitating. If you’re dealing with chronic joint pain of any sort, don’t bank on it to heal itself without medical attention!

Causes of chronic joint pain

One of the most common causes of chronic joint pain is arthritis. This includes rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis progresses slowly and typically affects the knees, hips, hands and wrists. It can cause inflammation, pain and fluid buildup.

Other common causes of chronic joint pain are:

  • Fibromyalgia
  • Osteoporosis
  • Overuse of a joint
  • Tendinitis
  • Bursitis
  • Sarcoidosis
  • Rickets
  • An injury
  • Gout

The symptoms of chronic joint pain generally include stiffness, inflammation and tenderness around the joint area, decreased range of motion and decreased mobility. If your joint pain persists for more than three days, it’s time to see a physical therapist for a thorough examination in order to determine the root cause of your pain.

How can physical therapy help chronic joint pain?

Physical therapy is a safe, holistic, and effective way to combat chronic joint pain conditions. A physical therapist will custom tailor a therapeutic exercise program to strengthen your body, increase your mobility and reduce pain. According to Verywell Health “Physical therapy for joint pain focuses on maintaining joint function and range of motion, strengthening muscles surrounding the joint, and minimizing joint stiffness and pain. Depending on your condition, your physical therapist may recommend a walking aid, brace, or splint to improve your functioning.”

A physical therapist will focus on the surrounding area of the joint pain. Strengthening and weight-bearing activity increase joint lubrication. For example, if you suffer from knee pain, the treatment plan will address impairments at the hip, ankle and lower back. All of these areas contribute to knee control and proper knee mechanics.

Your physical therapist may choose to utilize manual therapy to increase your mobility and to decrease your pain. This will likely include soft tissue mobilization and joint stabilization. Soft tissue mobilization is a hands-on technique that is used on muscles, fascia and ligaments. It breaks up any existing adhesions.

The goal is to reduce swelling, decrease pain, restore functionality and improve range of motion. If at any time your physical therapist recommends a stretch or exercise that is uncomfortable for you to perform, let them know! Honesty is key to a successful treatment outcome; they will be able to adjust the exercise so that you can complete it comfortably.

Are you seeking pain relief for chronic joint pain?

If you’re seeking relief from stiffness and chronic joint pain, call us today to make an appointment. Our physical therapists can help you! We use research-proven treatments for quick relief and help our patients get back to their normal lifestyle. Contact our clinic or visit us in Dublin, GA for a one-on-one consultation and evaluation, and get back to leading the life you love, free of pain and joint discomfort.

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Got An Upcoming Surgery? Physical Therapy Can Help You Before & After!

Did you know that having rehabilitation before surgery is just as critical as having it after surgery? It’s true! One of the most important times that you could seek physical therapy is when you are facing surgical correction of a joint or muscle. Physical therapy has proven time and time again to benefit a person as they prepare their body for surgical correction! Physical therapy before an operation also can enhance the recovery process, making it possible to return to full strength as quickly as possible following your surgical procedure.

Meeting with a physical therapist for the first time shouldn’t wait until after your surgical date! Pre-operative physical therapy is demonstrated to be just as valuable as postoperative physical therapy. If you are facing a surgical procedure, it may be a good idea to consult with your surgeon about your options for physical therapy. They can work with your physical therapist to come up with a swift plan of action to ensure the best results during recovery.

What are the benefits of having physical therapy before surgery?

Pre-surgical rehabilitation with physical therapy is designed to help the body recover as much strength as possible in the area surrounding the surgical site, so as to enhance the body’s ability to recover following your surgical procedure.

Bone&Joint’s website states that “prehabilitation allows [a] physical therapist to explain how your joints, ligaments and muscles work together to create movement. Pre-habilitation also allows your therapist to measure your current range of motion and discuss your goals for recovery after surgery. After surgery and rehabilitation, some people achieve a greater range of the movement or compete at higher levels than they did before their injury or condition.”

During pre-operative physical therapy, your physical therapist at our clinic will work with you to improve strength and functionality in the areas immediately surrounding the targeted injury site. They will also go over your post-operative treatment care plan with you and explain when you can expect to begin those exercises and stretches.

Many patients begin physical therapy as soon as they are able to stand, some as soon as the next day. Rest assured that your physical therapist’s goal is never to cause you pain or make you uncomfortable, so if you’re concerned about any part of your treatment, let him or her know.

Pre-surgical rehab with physical therapy often incorporates:

  • Hot and cold therapy
  • Massage
  • Stretching and mobility training
  • Muscle training

What are the benefits of having physical therapy after surgery?

Hearing that physical therapy may be necessary after surgery is usually not a surprise to many. The sooner you may begin physical therapy following surgical correction, the greater the impact physical therapy can have on your recovery!

It is typically recommended that you discuss your physical therapy options with your surgeon and physical therapist prior to surgery so that you can set up your first post-operative care session as soon as possible following your surgical date.

Physical therapy typically begins once the wound of the surgical site has healed and your body is ready to begin healing the actual torn tissue or damaged joint. If the corrected tissues, ligaments, tendons, and muscles, are left to recover without the use of physical therapy, they will become very stiff and scar tissue is likely to form. This will interfere with your range of motion and can also cause atrophy to occur, further limiting the amount of comfort and strength around the area that was operated on.

Post-surgical rehabilitation with physical therapy can help to alleviate pain, give you your strength back, and make your recovery “downtime” period much shorter. Your physical therapy program will be customized to your personal needs. At your first consultation with your physical therapist, you will discuss the severity of the injury if there was one as well as the details of your surgical procedure. From there, your physical therapist will assess your range of motion and level of strength, and work with your physician or surgeon to make sure they’re creating the best possible treatment care plan for you.

Most commonly, therapeutic techniques employed will include a combination of massage therapy, hot and cold therapy, range of motion / mobility training, and guided stretching and muscle training. Your physical therapist will also provide you with guidance for exercises that you should do at home, which will further help to improve your recovery process!

Are you ready to get on the path to recovery?

The recovery process is incredibly important both before and after undergoing any kind of surgical repair. As soon as you find out about your surgical plans, contact our physical therapy clinic. One of our skilled therapists will work with you and any other medical professionals tied to your surgery, to make sure you’re receiving the most thorough form of care possible. We can’t wait to watch your recovery! Contact us today!

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