Arthritis
Arthritis is a term used to describe inflammation of one or more joints in the body. Osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and gout are the most common subtypes of arthritis. We most commonly treat osteoarthritis, which occurs when the cartilage that cushions the ends of bones in your joints gradually deteriorates. Arthritis can cause pain, stiffness, disability or deformity and can have a significant impact on a person's everyday function. Arthritis is the second most common cause of early retirement due to ill health in Australia, with 1 in 5 Australians over the age of 45 living with the condition in our country.
What causes arthritis?
The exact cause of arthritis is unknown, but it is thought to be related to a combination of factors, including genetics, age, injury, infection, and environmental factors.
How can physiotherapy help manage arthritis?
Our team of clinicians at Best Physiotherapy have expert knowledge and skills to help you manage your arthritis. Specifically, individuals with osteoarthritis will benefit most from physiotherapy.
Physiotherapy can help manage arthritis in several ways, including:
Accurate diagnosis and education on the condition: knowledge is power and knowing why your body feels the way it does, and what you can do to improve your symptoms is a huge step in feeling more confident to move and make the first steps in your rehabilitation journey.
Pain and Symptom management: We can use a variety of manual therapy techniques (mobilisations, massage and needling) and biomechanical modification techniques (modifying how you move and use your body) to reduce pain.
Graded exercise rehabilitation: Movement is medicine so figuring out how to move safely and what exercises you should be doing in what order is the key. We will work on a range of exercises for mobility, strength and endurance in the joints and surrounding muscles to improve function and reduce pain. When the muscles around a joint are strong, they help to take some of the load that is otherwise being transferred through your painful joint. Reducing the load in the joint and improving the joint stability through muscular control will help to reduce your pain.
Functional rehabilitation: Ultimately the goal of any rehabilitation program is to get back to doing what you want to be able to do. We will work with you to create a personalised program that will help you to regain your functional abilities. This looks different for everyone, it may be walking up stairs with lesser pain, playing 18 holes of golf, or something as complex as returning to tennis or tramping in the mountains.
The right physiotherapy rehabilitation program on average reduces lower limb arthritis pain by 33%, reduces reliance on medication by 49% and improves joint-related quality of life by 29%. It is also the key to minimising the need for joint replacement surgeries down the track.
What can I expect during my physiotherapy treatment?
During your initial assessment, your physiotherapist will evaluate your condition and develop an individualized treatment plan. Treatment sessions typically include a combination of manual therapy, exercise therapy, education, and functional rehabilitation. Your physiotherapist will monitor your progress throughout your treatment and make adjustments to your treatment plan as necessary including onward referrals where required.
What are the benefits of physiotherapy for arthritis?
Reduced pain: Physiotherapy can help reduce pain associated with arthritis through a wide variety of evidence based interventional techniques. The additional benefit of reducing arthritis related pain is that it generally means being able to delay, or entirely reduce the need for joint replacement surgery.
Improved function: Physiotherapy can help improve joint range of motion, muscle flexibility, strength, and endurance which together enable functional movement. This means being able to continue doing the things you need to do in day-to-day life, as well as the things you enjoy. For many older people this can mean the difference between being able to stay independent in their own homes for longer, needing home help, or having to move into a care facility.
Decreased reliance on medication: Physiotherapy can help reduce pain and improve function which in turn reduces the need for or reliance on medication. It should be noted however that if a medical review is required we will always refer on.
Prevention of injury: Best Physiotherapy clinicians will not only aim to get you feeling and functioning better, but will also minimise the risk of subsequent injury by addressing any biomechanical imbalances seen as a result of your osteoarthritis and work on any other issues seen such as balance and mobility problems.
At Best Physiotherapy, our team provides empathetic, expert care. We understand that a diagnosis of arthritis can often be scary, however our team has years of experience with the skills and knowledge to help you achieve your rehabilitation goals.
Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you manage your arthritis and improve your quality of life at Best Physiotherapy, 72 Maribyrnong Street, Footscray.
