Reduce or Eliminate Your Chronic Pain With Physical Therapy

Have your joints been bothering you for a few months now? You’re not alone. A staggering number of Americans suffer from joint pain for a variety of reasons, including chronic pain conditions such as osteoarthritis. If you have chronic joint pain, it is critical that you do not ignore it.
Allowing your condition to deteriorate could lead to additional health problems in the future. Contact Ozark PT Specialists today to schedule an appointment with one of our certified physical therapists. Don’t hesitate to learn more about the causes of joint pain and how physical therapy techniques can help relieve your pain.
The ins and outs of joint pain
According to Healthline, joint pain is defined as “discomfort, aches, and soreness in any of the body’s joints.” Chronic joint pain can last for months or even years for some people. The intensity of the pain can range from mild to severe. Your doctor may refer you to an physical therapist for further evaluation, depending on your condition, but don’t worry! You are not alone in this; joint is very common.
The elbow, knee, and hip are examples of joints that form where the ends of two bones meet. A capsule, which is a sac that holds the joint together, is present in the joint components. For lubrication, it is filled with a substance known as synovial fluid. In addition, cartilage covers the ends of the bones in the specific joint.
According to WebMD, about one-third of adults reported having joint pain in the previous 30 days. The most common complaint was knee pain, which was followed by shoulder and hip pain. This just goes to show that joint pain can affect any part of your body, and it’s more likely to occur as you get older.
Common reasons for joint discomfort
Arthritis, including osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, is one of the most common causes of chronic joint pain. Rheumatoid arthritis is a slow-progressing disease that typically affects the knees, hips, hands, and wrists. It can result in inflammation, pain, and fluid accumulation.
Other factors that contribute to chronic joint pain include:
- Tendinitis, or inflammation of the tendon
- Bone or joint infections
- Overuse injuries
- Cancer
- Sarcoidosis
- Rickets
- Fibromyalgia
- Bursitis
- Lupus
- Gout
- Mumps, influenza, hepatitis
Inflammation, stiffness, tenderness around the joint area, decreased range of motion, and limited mobility are common symptoms of chronic joint pain. If your joint pain lasts longer than three days, it’s safe to say it’s chronic, and it’s time to see a doctor about it!
What are the benefits of physical therapy?
A physical therapist is a movement specialist who can design a therapeutic exercise program to help you strengthen your body, increase your mobility, and reduce pain. Exercising has been shown in studies to provide numerous benefits and improvements in the treatment of chronic pain. A physical therapist will concentrate on the area around the painful joint.
The goal is to reduce swelling, pain, and restore functionality while also improving range of motion. According to research, these types of manual therapies are beneficial for people who suffer from chronic joint pain.
If you have knee pain, for example, your therapy treatment plan will address issues and impairments in your hips, ankles, and lower back. Your physical therapist will teach you how to perform certain movements properly. For example, they may look at your gait to determine if your walking pattern is contributing to your pain. All of these factors play a role in proper knee control and mechanics.
Manual therapies will be used to improve your mobility and relieve pain. Soft tissue mobilization and joint stabilization will most likely be among these techniques. Soft tissue mobilization is a hands-on technique for working with muscles, fascia, and ligaments. It disintegrates any existing adhesions.
At your first appointment, your physical therapist will conduct a thorough assessment of your current condition. This will assist them in determining the source of your pain symptoms. They will also ask you questions about your medical history and any previous events that may have caused you pain. Following that, a one-of-a-kind treatment plan tailored to your specific needs will be devised. This will entail specific stretches and exercises to improve your range of motion, flexibility, and joint mobility.
Let your therapist know if you feel any discomfort during your treatment! Their goal is for you to leave the office in less pain than you came in, not the other way around. If there is an exercise that you are unable to perform comfortably, they will know how to modify it so that you can complete it successfully.
Contact Ozark PT Specialists today for relief
Our physical therapists can assist you if you are experiencing stiffness or chronic joint pain. At Ozark PT Specialists, we use research-proven treatments to provide immediate relief and assist our patients in returning to their normal lives. Request an appointment with our office today for a one-on-one consultation and evaluation, and get back to living a pain-free life!
Sources:
- https://www.verywellhealth.com/what-is-inflammation-187934
- https://www.verywellhealth.com/cause-of-joint-pain-189248
- https://www.healthline.com/symptom/joint-pain
- https://ptsolutions.com/how-can-physical-therapy-help-treat-arthritis/
- https://www.webmd.com/arthritis/news/20161006/number-of-americans-with-severe-joint-pain-keeps-rising
