Arthritis is a condition that causes inflammation in the joints, leading to pain, stiffness, swelling, and reduced range of motion. It can affect any joint in the body but most commonly impacts the knees, hands, hips, and spine. There are different types of arthritis, with the most common being osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
How Physiotherapy Can Help with Arthritis
Physiotherapy plays a significant role in managing arthritis by improving function, reducing pain, and increasing mobility. Here’s how physiotherapy helps:
Pain Management:
- Manual therapy: Techniques like joint mobilisation and soft tissue release can reduce stiffness and alleviate pain.
- Heat and cold treatments: These can help manage inflammation and ease discomfort.
Improving Range of Motion:
- Stretching exercises: To increase flexibility in the affected joints.
- Strengthening exercises: Targeting muscles around the affected joints to increase stability, reduce pain, and improve function.
- Improving Strength and Endurance: Strengthening the muscles around the affected joint reduces the stress and load placed on the joints during movement, which can help reduce pain and improve overall function.
- Joint Protection Education: A physiotherapist can teach joint protection techniques to reduce strain during everyday activities. This includes using assistive devices, adjusting posture, and performing tasks in a way that minimises joint stress.
- Posture and Alignment: Physiotherapists can work on improving posture, alignment, and lower limb biomechanics to prevent undue stress on affected joints and muscles.
- Hydrotherapy: Using water-based exercises can be beneficial for arthritis sufferers. The buoyancy of water reduces the impact on the joints while providing resistance to improve strength and flexibility. When performed in a heated pool, the warmth of the water can also assist with pain relief and muscle relaxation.
- Education: Physiotherapists can provide advice on lifestyle changes, appropriate exercises, and activity modifications to help manage arthritis symptoms.
Key Exercises Often Recommended
- Range of Motion Exercises: Helps maintain flexibility.
- Strengthening Exercises: Strengthens the muscles around joints.
- Low-Impact Aerobic Exercises: Increases endurance without putting too much stress on the joints.
- Balance and Stability Exercises: Important to prevent falls and maintain mobility.