The term arthritis is often used in everyday conversation with family and friends and is usually associated with topics of joint pain.
What Arthritis Is…
This term refers to the inflammation of a joint. The two most common forms of arthritis:
- Rheumatoid arthritis, often abbreviated to “RA,”
- Osteoarthritis, often abbreviated to “OA.”
RA is more of a whole body presentation affecting multiple joints at once as a result of an autoimmune disease. OA is the inflammation of a singular joint (can occur in multiple joints simultaneously) that is a result of mechanical wear and tear over a lifetime.
How Physical Therapy can Help!
Both types of arthritis can be treated in physical therapy to reduce pain, increase strength in the muscles around the joints, reduce stiffness, and slow down the rate of joint degeneration (in the case of OA). Those with RA are often co-treated with a rheumatologist and are seen in physical therapy to help with pain management, range of motion, and strengthening. Those with OA are most common in the physical therapy setting and typically respond very well to joint range of motion, strengthening, and most especially respond well to improving body awareness and how to move correctly to protect the joints. If you experience any of the following symptoms, give Loudoun Sports Therapy Center a call to set up an evaluation of your affected body part:
- stiff and/or painful joint(s)
- swelling around joint(s)
- difficulty lifting arm or bending elbow
- difficulty turning your head or twisting through the back
- knee or ankle discomfort using the stairs or getting up from a chair
- difficulty gripping coffee mugs or turning door knobs
- difficulty with walking, standing, or sitting
- radiating pain from joint into arms or legs
By Ashley Border, DPT
