Physical therapy is an important form of treatment to combat the pain and discomfort caused by arthritis. It should be performed preferably 5 times a week, with a minimum duration of 45 minutes per session. The goals of physical therapy for arthritis are:
- decrease pain and discomfort;
- improve range of motion;
- prevent and stop joint deformities;
- maintain or increase muscle strength and
- ensure that daily activities are carried out independently.
Here are some exercises you can do at home in this video:
How Is Arthritis Physical Therapy?
To achieve the above goals, the physiotherapist can basically use 3 methods, electrotherapy to combat pain, moist heat to help disinflate the joint and exercises to gain joint amplitude and muscle strengthening.
The bags of warm water, whirlwind and paraffin baths are some examples of moist heat treatment, which treat arthritis in the hands, wrists, feet or ankles for the ease of application of the technique. The moist heat is able to increase the local metabolism, improve blood circulation, decrease pain, facilitate movement and consequently combat inflammation, allowing a better realization of the movements with the affected joint.
After the use of humid heat, the techniques used to increase the joint and muscular range of the affected region should be used through joint mobilization, movement gain and stretching. Depending on the individual's progress, specific exercises should be started to gain strength with the use of elastics and / or potholics, at the end of each treatment.
Ice can be exchanged for heat, but ice does not always achieve as good results as the first. It is up to the physiotherapist after evaluating the individual to decide what is the best therapeutic approach for him.
Home Treatment for Arthritis
The home treatment for arthritis is to avoid stress and poor posture, but do not sit or lie all day. It is important to have an active life to ensure minimal muscle effort and improve blood circulation. In the case of arthritis in the hands, a great home treatment is to dip your hands in a bowl with warm water for 20 minutes and then open and close your hands and fingers several times in a row on days when no physical therapy is done.
Check Out A Good Natural Remedy For Arthritis
Exercises for Arthritis
In a more advanced treatment phase, where the individual feels less pain and is already able to perform some type of force with the affected muscles, it should be indicated the regular practice of physical exercises such as swimming, for example, that will strengthen the muscles without harming the joints being well tolerated and achieving great results.
Other recommended exercises for arthritis sufferers are water aerobics, Pilates and Tai Chi.
