Do You Think You Have Arthritis? Get To The Source of Your Pain With Physical Therapy!

Arthritis is a disorder of the joints that millions of people live with. It results in joint inflammation that can cause aches, pains, stiffness, and limited mobility. While there are over 100 types of arthritis, they are typically split into two categories: monoarthritis, meaning only one joint is affected, and oligoarthritis, meaning multiple joints are affected.

The two most commonly reported types of arthritis are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Osteoarthritis develops from “wear and tear” of cartilage, while rheumatoid arthritis develops from an overactive immune system.

If you’re living with arthritis, then you know how limiting it can be. While arthritis is debilitating, it can undoubtedly be managed!

If you believe you may be living with arthritic symptoms, contact Rehab Advantage & Sports Medicine in Dublin, GA as soon as possible. We’ll help you manage your arthritic aches and pains and have you feeling better in no time.

I’m not sure if I have arthritis. What should I do?

First and foremost, if you think you might have arthritis, you should see your primary healthcare physician. They will perform a comprehensive examination, looking for disease-related symptoms such as inflammation and/or deformity.

They’ll go over your symptoms and order any blood tests, urine tests, joint fluid testing, or x-rays they think you need. If these tests reveal that you have arthritis, your doctor will devise a treatment plan for you based on the location and severity of your problem. This treatment strategy may include rest, exercise, and medications as needed.

You may likely be referred to a physical therapist to help guide you through your exercise routines. This is done to measure progress and ensure that you are completing your physical activity safely and correctly.

Physical therapy is a proven aid in arthritic pain relief without harmful pain-management drugs. According to the Arthritis Center at Johns Hopkins,

“Physical activity is essential to optimizing both physical and mental health and can play a vital role in the management of arthritis. Regular physical activity can keep the muscles around affected joints strong, decrease bone loss, and may help control joint swelling and pain. Regular activity replenishes lubrication to the cartilage of the joint and reduces stiffness and pain. Exercise also helps to enhance energy and stamina by decreasing fatigue and improving sleep. Exercise can enhance weight loss and promote long-term weight management in those with arthritis who are overweight.”

Early diagnosis can help avoid joint damage and disability, so you must contact a doctor as soon as you think you may be developing arthritic symptoms.

What should I expect with physical therapy?

Physical therapy is nothing to be scared of. It’s a safe and effective treatment method for a variety of chronic pain conditions, and you can rest assured you’re in good hands at our clinic.

While there is no known treatment for arthritis, physical therapy is a tried and true way of reducing pain and inflammation. Based on the type of arthritic illness and their needs, each patient is given a tailored treatment plan. Treatment regimens aid in the improvement of strength, mobility, and range of motion while also reducing pain.

Your physical therapist will provide you with targeted stretches and exercises for arthritic relief, in addition to any other methods he or she may deem fit. This may include manual therapy, soft tissue mobilization, ice and heat therapies, deep tissue massage, ultrasound, or electrical stimulation.

Any additional modality will be added under the discretion of your physical therapist if needed for other pain relief or mobility improvement. Remember, if at any time you want to talk with your therapist about a change in your treatment plan, you’re more than welcome to come to us!

Call our clinic today and say goodbye to arthritis pain

Are you ready to relieve your arthritic aches and pains? Does getting back into the swing of things without nagging chronic discomfort sound like a dream come true to you? If so, contact Rehab Advantage & Sports Medicine in Dublin, GA today.

We’ll help you manage your pain so you can get back to living your life!

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Here’s What You Don’t Know About Finding Relief For Hip and Knee Pain

Your hips and knees are essential joints that work hard all day to give you the best possible function. They are common sources of pain and discomfort due to their complexity and constant use. As the cartilage in one’s joints begins to break down with age, the risk of experiencing chronic hip and knee pain rises. Anyone can acquire hip or knee discomfort due to excessive overuse, unanticipated traumas, or underlying disorders.

You may have been told that the only way to find relief from hip and knee pain is through expensive surgery. While surgery is sometimes needed to correct certain conditions in the hip or knee, physical therapy has been proven to succeed in significantly lowering pain and improving function.

In many cases, physical therapy can even eliminate the need for a surgical procedure. If you are living with hip and/or knee pain and you are looking for relief, contact Rehab Advantage & Sports Medicine in Dublin, GA today to see how our services can benefit you!

Common causes of knee and hip pain

When you make an appointment with a physical therapist, you can expect a comprehensive examination as the first step. Our physical therapist will assess you to determine the location of the sore area and the source of the discomfort.

For example, discomfort in the hips can occasionally be felt in the lower back, buttocks, groin, or the front or side of the hips. Knee pain can also be felt on the front or rear of the knee joint. If there has been a trauma to the knee, it can also be felt on the inside of the knee or the outside of the knee if you have iliotibial band tension.

Hip pain is typically reported as a constant dull ache that doesn’t disappear. However, knee pain is a bit different and is often assessed as one of several different types of pain:

  • Chronic – Chronic pain can be defined as any pain that lasts longer than two or three months. If you’ve been living with serious knee pain for that long, you should consult your doctor. They will most likely suggest performing another full physical exam in addition to x-rays.
  • Acute – Acute pain is the most intense type of knee pain. It typically occurs after an injury and will last for about a week. The treatment for acute pain is generally just to simply rest and isolate the affected area, as your body is working hard to heal it.
  • Subacute – Pain that lasts two to six weeks after an injury is known as subacute pain. Although the affected area may still be uncomfortable, it will not be as bad as the first week. Gentle motions promote a better range of motion and aid healing in treating subacute knee pain.

Physical therapy techniques can help you find true relief

When you arrive for your initial consultation, your physical therapist will conduct a comprehensive evaluation to determine the nature of your condition and the best steps for comfort. This evaluation will include:

  • Range of motion tests. Your physical therapist will test the limits of your knee or hip to see how far it will bend. This helps determine the severity of the trauma and will give your physical therapist insight into the course of treatment.
  • Palpation. Your physical therapist will gently palpate the knee or hip to determine where the pain originates.
  • Strength tests. Testing the strength of your knee and hip structures will give your physical therapist a better idea of whether your pain is due to an injury or a physical imbalance.
  • Gait analysis. Your physical therapist will assess how you walk to determine if anything is out of the ordinary with your gait.

Depending on your symptoms, your physical therapist may also perform balance tests to see if your balance has been affected. If any areas are inflamed, your physical therapist will focus closely on those areas. The test results will determine what methods will benefit your treatment plan.

Are you ready to feel better, faster?

Treatment plans will include targeted stretches and exercises to relieve pain and improve function in the affected hips or knees. Additional methods might be added as your physical therapist deems fit. Your progress will be closely tracked in order to help you reach your goals as quickly as possible.

If you are looking to relieve your hip and knee pains the natural way, contact Rehab Advantage & Sports Medicine in Dublin, GA today. We’ll provide you with the treatment you need so you can get back on your feet!

Discover Lasting Relief for Your Hip and Knee Pains

Are You Living with Hip and Knee Pains?

The knee is considered to be a hinge joint while the hip is a ball-and-socket joint. They are both complex joints with a network of muscles, tendons, ligaments, bones, and cartilage – all working together to keep you moving.

With these many moving parts, it’s not surprising that as we age or engage in strenuous activity, we sometimes experience pain. If you suffer from hip or knee pain, it can make it difficult to do even the most basic daily activities.

Understanding the causes of hip and knee problems is often the first key to effective treatment. A physical therapist can help you reduce or even eliminate the amount of pain you’re experiencing if you’re struggling with hip or knee pain.

What can I expect from a PT treatment plan?

Physical therapy may offer a non-invasive solution for both hip and knee pain. Your physical therapist is likely to begin with an evaluation. In the case of knee pain, the evaluation would probably focus on the area from the hip to the foot. Evaluation of hip pain is also likely to include a spinal evaluation.

For both types of pain, the assessment may include a range of motion and strength measurements. Your physical therapist may also perform gait and mobility tests. An individualized physical therapy program would then be developed to meet your specific needs.

Physical therapy can improve your joint function while also easing your pain and stiffness. Our physical therapist can prescribe exercises aimed at addressing your specific condition, such as:

  • Mini-squats
  • Heel-to-buttock-exercises
  • Hip rotations
  • Knee lifts
  • Leg lifts
  • Step exercises
  • Hamstring curls
  • Hip flexion, extension or abductor exercises

The American Physical Therapy Association states that early rehabilitation for certain types of knee pain is associated with a lower use of opioids and knee surgery. Various types of exercises are often used to reduce pain in the hips. Passive methods, such as icing or heat treatment, could also be used to eliminate pain.

Sometimes soft tissues and joints in the hip or spine must be manipulated to restore proper movement and reduce pain. A variety of exercises and stretches are also used to treat pain in the knee. Other treatments that your physical therapist may use include ultrasound or electrical stimulation.

What do additional treatments look like?

Surgery: Recovery from surgery can be painful and extensive. There’s always the chance of infection and sometimes surgery simply doesn’t produce the intended results. While surgery may be effective in some cases, it’s not without its drawbacks and should be used as a last resort.

Pain Medication:Prescription pain meds are sometimes used to treat knee and hip pain. Medication normally doesn’t solve the issue, but only temporarily reduces the pain. Medications, even over-the-counter meds, can be addictive and expensive.

So, why am I experiencing hip/knee pain?

There may be one or several reasons why you are experiencing hip and knee pain. A physical therapist can examine your movement to help identify things that are contributing to your pain, such as poor posture, unhealthy walking patterns, or unhealthy movement patterns at work.

Once they identify these kinds of issues, physical therapists can tell you how to correct them. Some common causes of knee and hip pain are as follows:

Knee Pain: Injuries that include torn cartilage or damaged ligaments can cause knee pain. Fractures, tendinitis, and knee bursitis are all common knee injuries. Medical conditions such as arthritis or gout can cause mild to severe knee pain. You may be experiencing stiffness or swelling in one or both knees. It might be difficult to stand, walk, or fully straighten your knee. Sometimes knees will make popping or crunching noises.

Hip Pain: Hip pain can be caused by a variety of medical conditions as well as from certain injuries. Inflamed tendons from over-exertion or an athletic injury can cause temporary or chronic hip pain. Tendinitis, dislocation, sprains, and pinched nerves can all contribute to or be the cause of hip pain. Hip pain may also result from repetitive injuries or poor posture.

Get started on a treatment plan today!

It is important to follow all the instructions of your physical therapist, including any stretches or exercises that can be done at home.

Your physical therapist can conduct a thorough examination of your  body, pinpoint the areas in your hips and knees where you’re struggling with pain, and create a customized program to treat your particular condition.

Physical therapy can help you find lasting relief from pain in the hip or knee! Contact us today or visit our office in Dublin, GA to find out for yourself.