Choose Physiotherapy to Combat Early Signs of Arthritis

Arthritis is a common condition leading to significant discomfort and mobility issues. Recognizing and addressing the early signs of arthritis is important for maintaining an active and pain-free life. In Edmonton, arthritis physiotherapy provides targeted treatment. Utilizing arthritis physiotherapy in Edmonton allows individuals to engage in exercises and therapies specifically designed to enhance joint health and mobility. These interventions are tailored to each person’s specific needs. They can include a combination of strength training, flexibility exercises, and pain management techniques, all aimed at combatting the early signs of arthritis effectively.

Pain Management

Pain is one of the first and most persistent symptoms of arthritis, significantly impacting daily activities and overall quality of life. Arthritis physiotherapy in Edmonton employs various techniques to manage and reduce pain effectively.

Manual Therapy: This involves hands-on techniques such as gentle joint mobilizations, where the physiotherapist applies controlled pressure to the joints to improve movement and reduce stiffness. Manual therapy helps to alleviate pain by enhancing joint function and reducing muscle tension around the affected area.

Heat and Cold Therapy: Heat therapy, such as warm packs or heating pads, can be applied to the affected joints to increase blood flow, relax muscles, and alleviate pain. Cold therapy using ice packs helps reduce inflammation and numb painful areas. Alternating between heat and cold will be effective in managing arthritis pain.

Ultrasound Therapy: This modality uses sound waves to generate deep heat within the tissues. Ultrasound therapy helps to increase blood circulation, reduce muscle spasms, and decrease pain and stiffness in the joints.

Electrical Stimulation: Techniques like Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation—TENS use low-voltage electrical current to provide pain relief. TENS works by restricting pain signals from reaching the brain and including the production of endorphins, the body’s natural painkillers.

These treatments help decrease inflammation, improve blood flow to the affected areas, and provide significant pain relief, allowing individuals to engage more comfortably in their daily activities.

Improving Joint Mobility and Flexibility

Stiffness and reduced range of motion are early signs of arthritis, leading to discomfort and limited functionality.

Range-of-motion exercises: These exercises involve the physiotherapist moving the person’s joints through their full range of movement without any effort from the patient. This technique helps maintain joint flexibility and reduces stiffness, particularly in the early stages of arthritis when active movement may be too painful.

Active Stretching: These exercises are performed by the patient under the guidance of the physiotherapist. Active stretching helps to elongate the muscles and tendons around the joints, enhancing flexibility and reducing stiffness. Regular active stretching can prevent further deterioration of joint function and improve overall mobility.

Joint Mobilizations: Joint mobilizations are specific techniques in which the physiotherapist gently moves the joints in a controlled manner. This process helps reduce pain, increase range of motion, and improve joint function by addressing the underlying stiffness and restrictions.

Strengthening Muscles Around the Joints

Weak muscles can exacerbate joint pain and instability, leading to increased discomfort and reduced function. Arthritis physiotherapy in Edmonton includes strength training exercises focusing on building the muscles surrounding the affected joints. Strengthening these muscles provides better support for the joints, reduces their load, and helps alleviate pain.

Resistance Training: Resistance training exercises involve using weights, resistance bands and body weight to build muscle strength. These exercises target certain muscle groups around the affected joints. For example, strengthening the quadriceps and hamstrings can provide better support for the knees, while strengthening the muscles around the shoulders can improve stability and function in the upper body.

Isometric Exercises: This involves contracting the muscles without changing their length, which means the joint angle does not move. These exercises benefit individuals with arthritis by strengthening muscles without putting stress on the joints. For example, pressing the hands together or against a wall engages the shoulder and chest muscles without moving the shoulder joint.

Functional Movement Training: This training focuses on exercises that mimic daily activities, helping to improve overall stability and strength. Exercises may include squats, lunges, and step-ups, which build strength and coordination in movements used in everyday tasks. Functional movement training helps improve muscle function and joint stability, making daily activities easier and less painful.

Body Mechanics

Ergonomic Adjustments

Workplace and Home Modifications: Ergonomic adjustments are tailored to each patient’s environment, focusing on reducing joint stress during daily activities.

• Office Ergonomics: Adjust the height and position of chairs, desks, and computer screens to ensure the joints are adequately relaxed while typing or viewing a monitor. Ergonomic tools such as adjustable chairs, keyboard trays, and monitor stands can be crucial.
• Home Adjustments: Recommendations include using ergonomic tools in the kitchen, bedroom, and other areas. For example, a supportive mattress and pillows that maintain spinal alignment can greatly reduce back pain.

Gait Training

Gait Assessment: An initial gait analysis is performed to identify abnormal patterns contributing to joint pain or degradation. This analysis helps pinpoint inefficiencies and areas of improvement, such as uneven weight distribution or limp.

Corrective Techniques and Exercises: Based on the assessment, physiotherapists develop a personalized plan that includes specific exercises to strengthen the muscles required for proper gait.

• Balance Exercises: Improving balance minimizes the risk of falls and ensures that body weight is evenly distributed across both legs.
• Coordination Drills: Enhancing coordination helps develop a smoother walking pattern, alleviating excess stress on certain joints.

Take Control of Your Joint Health

At Vertex Physiotherapy, we offer arthritis physiotherapy, providing expert care tailored to combat the early signs of arthritis. If you are experiencing the early symptoms of arthritis, now is the time to take proactive steps towards managing your condition. Our customized treatment plans are structured to meet your specific needs and help you attain the best possible outcomes.

Contact Vertex Physiotherapy today to begin your journey to better joint health and an active lifestyle. Let us help you through arthritis physiotherapy in Edmonton to manage your arthritis effectively and reclaim the freedom of movement.