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Can Physical Therapy Help Treat Arthritis?

What is the Role of Physical Therapy in Treating Arthritis?

Arthritis is a chronic disorder that can have an impact on your physical health, emotional health, and overall quality of life. In addition, adults with arthritis frequently suffer from worry and sadness, so it’s critical to look after your mental health.

Physical therapy is a potential arthritis therapeutic option. Participating in a physical therapy program can help you manage your symptoms, increase your movement, and improve overall physical function. They will also teach you particular exercises and strategies to help you move with minor discomfort and more ease.

This essay will inform you more about the benefits of physical therapy to treat arthritis, the best types of physical therapy suitable for arthritis, and tips to establish safety.

What is the Role of Physical Therapy in Treating Arthritis?

Physical therapy for arthritis relieves discomfort and improves movement quality. This makes it easy to carry out daily tasks.

PT is typically included as part of an arthritis treatment strategy that also includes:

  • Medications
  • Supplements
  • Topical treatments

A physical therapy expert will also evaluate your posture, muscular weaknesses, and body mechanics. Then, they will teach you how to move better in order to avoid injury, minimize discomfort, and correct your body.

A physical therapy specialist can design a stretching and exercising program tailored to your specific needs.

  • Reduce pain
  • Improve your motion
  • improve movement patterns

It will involve exercises to maintain and improve muscle mass around the joints, enhancing function and minimizing joint stress.

Physical therapy for arthritis may also be beneficial:

  • Build an exercise regimen for at-home use
  • Better your fitness and strength
  • Improve endurance
  • Reduce rigidity
  • Reduce tiredness
  • Enhance balance and stability
  • Improve coordination

 

What are the Best Types of Physical Therapy for Arthritis?

Your issues and treatment objectives will determine the ideal physical therapy for you. Seek a physical therapy specialist specializing in arthritis or a particular body area, including the hands or feet.

A physical therapy expert may instruct you on how to use:

  • Weight machines
  • Aerobic exercise equipment
  • Other items to consider include:
    • Rollers made of foam
    • Balls for exercise
    • Bands of resistance

They may also suggest and educate you on utilizing an assistive gadget. Massage, joint mobilization, and electrotherapy are passive PT therapies that induce relaxation.

Consult an occupational therapist if you need help with everyday routines or work activities. You will discover strategies and exercises to help you move more quickly. They could also suggest house improvements and orthotics.

 

Can Physical Therapy Be Bad for Arthritis?

Physical therapy seeks to increase function while alleviating arthritic symptoms. However, treatment should not aggravate your symptoms or create pain.

But, you may feel some of the workouts are difficult, particularly at first. Significant muscle stiffness or soreness level is standard after or during a PT session.

Your physical therapist can help you determine your pain tolerance and treatment response. Inform them if you experience increased symptoms, intense pain, or difficulty during or after a session.

Your physical therapy specialist can make the necessary changes to your therapy plan. They may employ other strategies or lower the duration and severity of your treatments.

 

Exercise Safety Guidelines for People with Arthritis

Exercising provides several advantages for arthritis, as long as it is done correctly. However, before beginning an exercise regimen for arthritis, you should consult your doctor or physical therapist. They can advise suitable workouts and changes.

  • Make an effort to stretch. Warm up before you workout and cool down afterward. Stretch all main muscles before working out, paying specific attention to areas prone to discomfort and stiffness.
  • Take it slowly at first. Begin with brief workouts, work your way up gradually, and stay within your boundaries. Pay close attention to your body, particularly if you’re experiencing a flare-up, and have as many pauses as possible. Take lots of rest days in between sessions.
  • Perform low-impact activities. These activities relieve joint tension or strain. Swimming, water rehabilitation, and gardening are among them. Exercises to improve strength, balance, and flexibility can also be included. Exercises that cause extreme discomfort or increase your symptoms, such as edema, soreness, or stiffness, should be avoided.

 

Does Medicare Cover Physical Therapy?

If physical therapy is deemed medically necessary, most insurance policies cover at least part of its costs. Based on your insurance plan, there may be a limit to the number of visits that your plan will cover.

Medicare will either cover a part or all of the cost of physical therapy if a doctor considers PT medically necessary for treating arthritis.

ARP reports that Medicare Part A will cover the costs of physical therapy sessions provided by inpatient rehabilitation facilities such as hospitals, rehabilitative centers, or mental health facilities.

Upon meeting your yearly Part B deductible, Medicare Part B will cover 80 percent of your outpatient treatment costs.

 

Conclusion

Physical therapy can assist you in moving better, reduce arthritic symptoms, and enhance your general well-being. Maintain your everyday routines and exercise as often as possible for the most significant outcomes.

Keep track of the therapies that are the most successful. Verify with your physical therapy expert frequently to talk about your progress and any changes in your condition. If your symptoms increase or become severe, get medical attention.

Your best choice for home health physical therapy is Health and Care Professional Network. We offer the most remarkable physical treatment in the comfort of your home to any family member who might need it. Our trained therapists will deliver all of the services that are available during a session.

Moreover, they will inform you about the healing process and what to expect during the various stages of your therapy program. Patients’ mobility will improve immensely as a result of the training sessions. The therapist also watches movements when walking or standing in order to correct and enhance them.

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