Southwest Florida's Health and Wellness Magazine Health and Wellness Articles
Arthritis is an informal way of referring to joint pain or joint disease. It can affect the joints of the wrists, hands, knees, hips, and shoulders. Other types of arthritis can affect the connective tissues and organs. There are more than 100 different types of arthritis and related conditions. Arthritis is the leading cause of disability in America and more than 50 million adults and 300,000 children have some form of arthritis. About 1 in 5 adults are affected by arthritis. The cause is unknown but there are things that can increase the chances of the condition. Aging causes the joints to get worn down, most types of arthritis are more common among women, certain genes are linked to arthritis conditions, excess weight can make knee arthritis start sooner, previous injuries can cause joint damage that lead to arthritis, and infections can affect joints and trigger inflammation.
Common arthritic symptoms include swelling, pain, stiffness and limited range of motion of the joints. The symptom intensity can vary and may come and go. In some cases chronic pain can develop making it difficult to do daily activities. Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis. This occurs when the cartilage between bones wears away leading to bone rubbing against bone. Rheumatoid arthritis occurs when the body’s immune system attacks its own tissues. This results in damage to the joint surfaces and the bone. This condition can also have fatigue, fever, weight loss, eye inflammation, lung inflammation and nodules.
One way to manage arthritis is to get active with exercise. This can help you to move better, reduce pain, and limit disability. Physical therapy can help people with arthritis by improving the mobility of the joints, increasing the strength of the muscles to support the joints, and by improving the ability to perform daily activities. A physical therapist can offer education on posture and body mechanics as well as how to properly use assistive devices. A physical therapist can offer suggestions on uses of braces as well as modifications to your environment. A physical therapist will help to develop an individual plan that focuses on flexibility, ROM, strength, coordination and balance that addresses each person’s specific limitations.
Aquatic based physical therapy allows for exercises to be performed in a pool where there is less stress on the body. The buoyancy of water allows for less impact to the joints and less pain. When exercising in a pool, there is up to 75% less weight on the body. When exercising in a warm water pool, there is a thermal effect that allows for muscular relaxation and pain control as well. The water can also allow for ease with walking and the ability to work on balance. The ability to take pressure off arthritic joints, improve ROM with the assistance of water buoyancy, and to strengthen with the viscosity of water makes the aquatic setting an effective treatment option for people with arthritis.
Water Works Total Rehab
999 Trail Terrace Drive, Naples, FL 34103
239-649-2222
www.waterworkstotalrehab.com
