Arthritis is a catchall term used to describe more than 100 different kinds of joint pain and joint disease. While arthritis is commonly believed to be a condition that afflicts the elderly, the reality is that it can strike people in early middle age.
Arthritis is also an issue that affects millions of Americans. In fact, researchers report that more than 32 million Americans have a type called osteoarthritis. Pain medicines are a common treatment used for arthritis, but they can cause some nasty side effects. If you’re looking for a treatment option for arthritis that can help you go without pain meds, physical therapy may be just what you’re looking for.
Why you should consider arthritis treatments that help you go without pain medicine
Depending on the type of arthritis that a person has, doctors may prescribe nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), corticosteroids or antirheumatic drugs. All these medicines carry a risk of side effects. Some of these can be extremely serious, and this is why you might want to consider arthritis treatment options that can reduce your usage of pain meds.
Each type of arthritis medication has its own negative side effects. NSAIDs can lead to an increased risk of blood clots, heart attacks or strokes. Corticosteroids can contribute to cataracts, cause high blood sugar levels or even contribute to bone loss. Antirheumatics can lead to rashes, diarrhea and increased risk of developing infections.
How does physical therapy help you treat arthritis pain and rely less on pain meds?
There are many goals a physical therapist can make for your arthritis treatment. Some of these may include increasing your range of motion, improving strength and reducing your need for pain meds. In fact, one study found that a 12-week therapy program helped reduce pain by more than 30% in patients with hip osteoarthritis.
Here are some of the potential benefits of working with a physical therapist:
- Reducing and managing your weight
- Learning exercises to improve your posture
- Finding out how to do exercises and stretches that can increase range of motion
- Finding ways to reduce stress on your joints
- Decreasing your pain
Peak Performance offers physical therapy that can help you treat arthritis pain
Curious to find out more about physical therapy that can help you treat arthritis and possibly reduce your need for pain medications? Peak Performance can help you. Our therapy specialists can perform a free screening for you, which is intended to reveal the specific arthritis symptoms affecting you. We also excel at building arthritis therapy plans that are personalized to your specific needs.
Things keeping you at home? No problem! Our team is currently providing at-home therapy and virtual care sessions, and both of these services allow you to get high-quality therapy from the safety of your own home. Even better, you won’t need to get a doctor’s recommendation before you start using any of our therapy services.
Take the next step to start getting our help with your arthritis. Contact us today for more information about how we can help you or to schedule your free screening.
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