Physiotherapy Approaches For Treating Arthritis Pain

Introduction

Arthritis is a degenerative disorder that affects the body’s joints. Inflammation of the joints is a hallmark of both the acute and chronic types of this condition. Arthritis patients have difficulty moving about because of pain, stiffness, and discomfort. Osteoarthritis, which develops when the cartilages between the joints are damaged, and rheumatoid arthritis, an autoimmune disease in which the body’s immune system attacks its own joints, are the two most common types of arthritis.

Physical therapy for arthritis focuses mostly on increasing range of motion and restoring joint function. Licenced physiotherapists use a wide variety of treatments to help injured joints heal and function better.

The Function of Physical Therapy in Osteoarthritis Treatment

Knees, hips, spines, and fingers are frequently affected by osteoarthritis. Patients with osteoarthritis often benefit from physical therapy by increasing their range of motion and decreasing their level of discomfort.

Physiotherapists treat osteoarthritis using a variety of methods, such as:

• Exercises Massages
• Offering mobility aids to patients
• Electrotherapy

Knee osteoarthritis treatment using physiotherapy involves the following:

• Arthritis sufferers may find relief with hydrotherapy. In water between 33 and 36 degrees Celsius, specialised exercises can be carried out. Patients are led through targeted physical therapy routines by physiotherapists, which may include aerobic and strength training.

• Physiotherapists also employ manual treatment, in which they use their hands to alleviate symptoms such as pain and stiffness.The results of using this method to treat osteoarthritis of the knee have been really positive.

• Acupuncture (dry needling) and thermotherapy are two other methods that have shown promising results in reducing discomfort.

Hip osteoarthritis treatment by physiotherapy:

Because of its important function, the hip joint is particularly vulnerable to injury and pain. In these situations, physiotherapy is used to help patients become more mobile. 

Physiotherapists employ a wide variety of methods, such as:

• Physical medicine
• Flexibility training and muscle building
• Exercises for Weight Control

Hip joint protection strategies entail instructing the patient on how best to take care of their joint. Patients are typically counselled to avoid activities that place undue stress on the affected joint, such as lifting heavy objects. In addition, they are given gait aids and instructed on how to properly use footwear. Correct posture is another topic physiotherapists cover.

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) and the Function of Physical Therapy

Before beginning treatment, a physiotherapist will often do a physical examination. Gait, daily activities, range of motion, muscle strength test, posture, and respiratory function are all measured as part of the exam. After that, they conduct a thorough evaluation utilising the Health Assessment Questionnaire and Arthritis Impact Measurement Scale I & II.

Methods of treating RA using physical therapy

The following methods are frequently used in this mode of therapeutic approach:

Hot/Cold therapy is utilised for both acute and chronic rheumatoid arthritis. Patients with acute illnesses often benefit from cold therapy, whereas those with chronic stages of RA benefit more from hot therapy. Hot packs are typically applied once or twice day for 10-20 minutes each time.  Cold packs, ice, nitrogen spray, and cryotherapy are all forms of application techniques used in cold therapy.

Electrotheray

When it comes to electrotherapy, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) is the gold standard. 

Patients with RA find alleviation from their symptoms when they participate in hydrotherapy on a regular basis.In the event of both acute and chronic problems, this method offers relief.

Joint splinting, compression gloves, manual therapy, therapeutic exercises, and patient education are common rehabilitative methods used in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.

Conclusion

As a result, it’s safe to say that seeing a physiotherapist can do wonders for arthritis sufferers. Improvements in arthritic patients’ quality of life are a driving force behind the ongoing research and development in physical therapy.

Doctoral candidate Sanchari Sinha Dutta reviews it.