The medical definition of arthritis, per the Mayo Clinic, is “swelling and tenderness of one or more of your joints. The main symptoms of arthritis are joint pain and stiffness, which typically worsen with age. The most common types of arthritis are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.”

For those of you who suffer from arthritis, you don’t need that definition to tell you what you already know–arthritis is extremely painful.

But the good news is, even if you do have arthritis, you’re not automatically destined for a lifetime of pain and suffering. In fact, physical therapy can make a huge difference for arthritis patients–some might say a life-changing difference.

Setting Realistic Goals

If you have arthritis, you probably want nothing more than to live a pain-free life where you’re able to do all the “normal” things you were once able to do without experiencing pain. Climb the steps. Take a walk or a bike ride. Drive a car. Write out a shopping list. Get out of bed.

The skilled, experienced physical therapists at Physical Therapy Now can help you get there.

We’ll help you set realistic goals and work with you to get to that point. If you simply want to get back to the day-to-day and even the recreational activities you were accustomed to before arthritis set in, we’re ready to work with you.

Through physical therapy, we’ll help you improve the mobility of your joints, increase the strength around the joint for extra support, and make sure that you’re able to perform daily activities with minimal trouble or discomfort.

How PT Can Help Arthritis

A variety of factors will go into how we work to improve your arthritis pain–age, activity level, fitness level, location, and severity of the arthritis. By the end of your PT, we want you to enjoy improved strength, flexibility, and balance, and we’ll create an exercise plan to help you achieve those goals.

Additionally, physical therapy can help you improve your body mechanics and posture so everyday activities aren’t as painful. If you require the use of an assistive device (like a cane or a walker) to move around, we can also show you the proper way to use them to keep the pain at a minimum.

Our physical therapists may also be able to recommend certain everyday treatment options to increase your comfort level, including splints or braces for extra joint support, shoe inserts to relieve stress, and hot and cold treatments to ease pain and stiffness and reduce swelling. Plus, little things you may not even think of–cushioned kitchen mats, ergonomic furniture, etc.–can go a long way toward keeping you comfortable. We have occupational therapists on staff to assist you in creating an environment that reduces the symptoms of arthritis.

Do You Need Arthritis Physical Therapy in the Irving, Texas area?

There is no cure for arthritis, but that doesn’t mean you have to let arthritis win. With some work and the guidance of our experts, we’ll have you back to your daily activities–only with less pain and fewer symptoms than you’ve been experiencing.

Call Physical Therapy Now today at (800) 481-4582 to set up your initial appointment, where we’ll discuss your condition and pain and create a plan to keep your arthritis at bay.