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Combat-Inflammation-From-Arthritis
Combat Inflammation From Arthritis Through Physical Therapy Treatment

Are you living with arthritis? If so, you know how much it can control your routine. Arthritis can be extremely limiting to a person’s life, and unfortunately, it is a disorder of the joints that millions of people live with.

While arthritis is debilitating, there is light at the end of the tunnel: it can certainly be managed! If you believe you may be living with arthritic symptoms, call Dubuque Physical Therapy at our physical therapy office as soon as possible.

You deserve to enjoy your life without worrying about arthritic joints. We’ll help you manage your pain and get back to leading a full, happy life! In the meantime, keep reading to learn more about the benefits of physical therapy for arthritis.

Types of arthritis

The two most commonly reported types of arthritis are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Osteoarthritis develops from “wear and tear” of cartilage, while rheumatoid arthritis develops from an overactive immune system.

Arthritis results in joint inflammation that can cause aches, pains, stiffness, and limited mobility. While there are over 100 types of arthritis, they are typically split into two categories: monoarthritis, meaning only one joint is affected, and oligoarthritis, meaning multiple joints are affected.

So, what should I do if I think I have arthritic symptoms?

If you believe you may be suffering from arthritis, the first thing you should do is contact your primary care provider. He or she will provide a thorough evaluation, looking for signs of disease, such as inflammation and/or deformity.

They’ll go through your symptoms and may order blood tests, urine tests, joint fluid testing, or x-rays if they think they’re necessary. If these tests reveal that you have arthritis, your doctor will devise a treatment plan for you based on the location and severity of the problem. Rest, exercise routines, and medications, as needed, may be part of this therapy approach.

You will very certainly be referred to a physical therapist to assist you in executing your exercise routines, as well as to track your progress and ensure that you are doing it safely and correctly. Physical therapy has been shown to help relieve arthritis pain without the use of pharmaceuticals.

It is very likely that you will also be referred to a physical therapist to help guide you through your exercise routines, in order to measure progress and make sure that you are completing your physical activity in a safe and correct manner. Physical therapy is a proven aid in arthritic pain relief, without the use of harmful pain-management drugs.

Early diagnosis can be helpful in avoiding joint damage and disability, so it is imperative that you contact a doctor as soon as you think you may be developing arthritic symptoms.

The importance of physical activity for people with arthritis

Staying physically active when you have arthritis is the key to keeping your joints in good, functioning condition. This claim is backed up by research at the Arthritis Center at Johns Hopkins:

“Physical activity is essential to optimizing both physical and mental health and can play a vital role in the management of arthritis. Regular physical activity can keep the muscles around affected joints strong, decrease bone loss and may help control joint swelling and pain. Regular activity replenishes lubrication to the cartilage of the joint and reduces stiffness and pain. Exercise also helps to enhance energy and stamina by decreasing fatigue and improving sleep. Exercise can enhance weight loss and promote long-term weight management in those with arthritis who are overweight.”

While it can feel easy to lie around or choose to soak your aching joints in a warm bath, getting up and moving is still the best way to combat arthritis pain. You’ll find that your therapist at Dubuque Physical Therapy agrees as well!

Physical therapy for long-lasting relief

While there is not yet a known cure for arthritis, physical therapy is a proven and effective way to relieve pain and ease inflammation. In fact, each patient is provided with their very own individualized treatment plan, based on the nature of their arthritic condition and their corresponding needs. Treatment plans help improve strength, mobility, and range of motion while also alleviating pain.

Your physical therapist will provide you with targeted stretches and exercises for arthritic relief, in addition to any other methods he or she may deem fit. This may include manual therapy, soft tissue mobilization, ice and heat therapies, deep tissue massage, ultrasound, or electrical stimulation. Any additional modality will be added under the discretion of your physical therapist, if needed for additional pain relief or mobility improvement.

Are you ready to relieve your arthritic aches and pains?

Call Dubuque Physical Therapy today if you want to learn more about how arthritis pain can be managed through physical therapy.  We’ll help you manage your pain so you can get back to living your life!

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3-Small-Changes-To-Make-To-Your-Diet
3 Small Changes To Make To Your Diet To Relieve Inflammation

If you live with constant pain and inflammation, you are not alone. There are many chronic conditions that can lead to pain and inflammation; however, much of what you’re feeling can be managed simply through diet.

Your body is fueled by what you eat, so when you eat a nutritious diet your body is able to recover much faster. If you’re looking for advice on how to improve your diet and relieve inflammation, look no further.

Contact Dubuque Physical Therapy today to speak with one of our physical therapists and learn how you can begin to relieve your pain and inflammation!

Why does inflammation happen?

If you have an infection, wound, tissue damage, or buildup of toxins in your body, the immune response is triggered to deal with it. Your immune system can naturally respond to injury, ailment, or other harm through inflammation. If inflammation didn’t occur, injuries wouldn’t be able to heal; however, if this process goes on for too long, chronic inflammation can occur — and that is not something you want to happen!

Chronic inflammation may lead to severe health conditions, such as diabetes, arthritis, heart disease, or even some forms of cancer. If you experience persistent chronic pain, it is wise to contact a physical therapist as soon as possible, as it may mean that the inflammation has become chronic.

Traditionally, chronic inflammation has been managed with a combination of rest and medicine. Lack of activity, on the other hand, can exacerbate inflammation by constricting joints and stiffening muscles. Furthermore, drugs have a host of adverse effects, some of which can be harmful and/or addictive. Fortunately, pain and inflammation can be addressed in a variety of ways, including through nutrition.

How can a good diet help decrease inflammation?

Pain and inflammation can be relieved through proper nutrition, stress management, and exercise!

 Inflammation is your body’s way of trying to heal, which can be accelerated through a nutritional diet that complements the removal of toxins. Nutritionists have had patients report great success in turning around their symptoms by adopting an anti-inflammatory diet.

These 3 dieting tips can help relieve your inflammation:

1. Eat less red meat

When following an anti-inflammatory diet, it’s advisable to stay away from red meat. If this proves impossible, tiny amounts of red meat are acceptable; nevertheless, it should be a very unusual treat in your diet. Because the proteins in red meat demand more work from your kidneys to digest, eating a lot of it will slow down the healing process. Fortunately, anti-inflammatory diets can include chicken and fish.

2. Avoid dairy and carbs

In order to strengthen your body’s immune response, you’ll want to avoid simple carbs and sugars. Unfortunately, that means no donuts, no pastries, and no white bread. Dairy products should also be extremely limited, so very little cheese or milk with anything. Whole grains, such as barley, oats, brown rice, and wheat are best.

3. Load up on veggies

When it comes to maintaining an anti-inflammatory diet, raw broccoli, brussels sprouts, cauliflower, and cabbage are the greatest choices. If you like, you can prepare them, although fresh vegetables are generally best for reducing inflammation. You can eat up to nine portions every day, and you can break it up by substituting fruits for a couple of those servings if it seems too excessive. Otherwise, the age-old adage “eat your vegetables” applies.

How can a physical therapist help?

Your physical therapist can also provide you with additional tips for pain relief and reduced inflammation. In addition to your nutrition plan, you should also try:

  • Increasing your levels of physical activity. Exercise will keep the muscles warm, which can alleviate pain or stiffness, and stop the inflammation from becoming worse.
  • Lowering your stress levels. If you’re feeling mentally stressed, your body can become physically stressed – causing more inflammation and a longer recovery rate. Taking time to relax can actually allow you to heal quicker!
  • Managing your weight. If you have some unwanted weight, getting down to your ideal body weight will help with your pain and inflammation.

Call our clinic today for an appointment!

Are you looking to add a new nutrition plan into your lifestyle to help manage your pain and inflammation? If you stick to the tips listed above, you should notice a decrease in pain.

Call Dubuque Physical Therapy today to consult with a physical therapist and see how you can relieve your symptoms as quickly as possible!

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