Arthritis is a disease that impacts your joints connecting to the bones. It can cause both chronic and acute forms. It can be associated with the inflammation of the joints. The patients who are suffering from Arthritis will experience stiffness, pain, and discomfort during the mobility. Arthritis comes in the following two forms;

Rheumatoid Arthritis – It is an autoimmune disease that happens when a person’s body immune system impacts its own joints.

Osteoarthritis – it happens when the cartilages between the joints are damaged in a person’s body.

Physiotherapy is the one type of healthcare professionals. The primary purpose of physiotherapy in treating Arthritis includes improving mobility and reinstituting the functioning of the affected joints in the person’s body. Licensed physiotherapists can strengthen the affected joints by deploying several therapies. If you are suffering from arthritis pain, book an appointment with the physiotherapist in Calgary.

How can physiotherapy treat Osteoarthritis?

Osteoarthritis commonly affects the person’s spine, hips, joints, and fingers. Physiotherapy is the solution that can help patients with Osteoarthritis overcome it by improving physical functioning and minimizing the pain.

There are several ways that physiotherapists use to treat Osteoarthritis. To name a few;

–      Massage.

–      Exercise.

–      Electrotherapy.

–      Offering patients with walking aids.

Physiotherapy treatment for knee Osteoarthritis involves;

Manual therapy – it is the approach where physiotherapists deploy hands-on techniques to alleviate the pain and stiffness of the patients. This technique provides numerous benefits in treating knee Osteoarthritis.

Hydrotherapy – this approach employs water to treat Arthritis. Unique exercises will be conducted under the water with a temperature between 33 to 36 ⸰C. Physiotherapists will guide the patients with special exercises like aerobics, stretching, and strengthening exercises.

Massages – it is another proper physiotherapy treatment that many arthritis patients find helpful and soothing. Massages can alleviate the pain instantly.

There are other approaches out there, like acupuncture (known as dry needling) and thermotherapy, which also helps reduce pain and discomfort.

Physiotherapy treatment for Hip Osteoarthritis.

Hip joints support the body weight; hence, if you are feeling any joint pain, it would affect your overall body mobility. Physiotherapy can improve the mobility of patients with hip Osteoarthritis. Physiotherapists will use the following techniques;

–      Stretching and strengthening exercises.

–      Manual therapy.

–      Weight management training.

–      Hip joint protection methods – it involves making the patient aware of certain joint protection methods. Patients are primarily suggested against carrying heavy weights and doing several activities that put an overload on the joints. Also, they will receive gait aids and advice on how to use the appropriate foot wares. Physiotherapists can teach them how to maintain the correct posture.

How can physiotherapy treat Rheumatoid Arthritis?

Generally, physiotherapists perform your physical evaluation test prior to initiating the treatment. The evaluation majorly includes assessing gait, everyday activities, range of joint motion, posture, muscle strength test, and respiratory function. After conducting the assessment, physiotherapists will use the arthritis impact measurement scale one & two and the health evaluation questionnaire for accurate evaluation.

Physiotherapy modalities in the treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis.

This form of treatment approach precisely involves the following techniques;

Cold or hot applications – it can be useful in both acute and chronic conditions of rheumatoid arthritis. Cold compression is generally useful in those patients who are going through acute conditions. And hot compression is used in the chronic stage of rheumatoid arthritis. Hot compression packs are usually useful for ten to twenty minutes once or twice daily, depending on severity. For cold therapy, application modalities are cold packs, cryotherapy, ice, nitrogen spray.

Hydrotherapy – it will give patients relief from Rheumatoid Arthritis at regular intervals. This technique offers palliative treatment in the case of chronic and acute conditions.

Electrical stimulation – TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation) therapy is one of the best forms of electrotherapy that physiotherapists can use to treat Rheumatoid Arthritis. As per the studies, patients experience less pain after receiving the TENS therapy once a week for roughly a month.

Rehabilitation techniques to treat Rheumatoid Arthritis majorly involved splinting the affected joints, manual therapy, use of compression gloves, patient education, and therapeutic exercises.

With the help of physiotherapy, arthritis patients can maintain or enhance the joint range of motion, improve balance, strengthen the muscles and adjust their posture.

Conclusion.

Thus, patients who are going through the pain of Arthritis should visit the nearest physiotherapy clinic to receive the best treatment from qualified physiotherapists. You will find numerous options for physiotherapy in Calgary.