Physical Therapy & Arthritis / Fibromyalgia

Physical Therapy and Arthritis

Arthritis causes stiff joints and patients with arthritis avoid movement because it increases pain. But by avoiding movement, inflammation, stiffness and pain get worse.

Physical Therapy can teach you how to work out stiffness without further damaging your joint, and by doing so, decrease inflammation, increase range of motion and strength and protect your joints.

Physical Therapy will also help avoid injury, falls, improve balance, reduce strain on your joints during daily activities,avoid movement that makes arthritis worse, perform everyday activities without difficulty, and help into getting back to normal even after injury or joint replacement.

Building strength is extremely important, stronger muscles helps stabilize a weakened joint. Nothing protects joints better than strong muscles. Increasing range of motion and strength is extremely important to perform daily activities.

Physical therapists provide exercises designed to preserve the strength and use of your joints. They can show you the best way to move from one position to another and can also teach you how to use walking aids such as crutches, a walker or a cane.

 

Physical Therapy and Fibromyalgia

Studies have shown that physical therapy plays a very effective and a major role in managing fibromyalgia symptoms and bringing relief.

Physical therapy program will include an active treatment that will strengthen the body and prevent further fibromyalgia pain and a passive treatment to relax and cleanse the muscles.

We use various techniques incorporated in a treatment including myofascial release, acupressure and trigger point manual therapy, special exercise protocols and heat and electrical stimulation therapy, Pulse Activation Therapy, Vibration therapy, and Laser.

Exercise Protocols
The exercises will aim towards increasing flexibility, range of motion and strength. All these exercises are tailored in a way to decrease tightness and muscle spasm and increase the overall body strength and posture. Working on core stability, limbs and back muscles is very important for supporting your spine and body muscles which will lead to a better posture and a more efficient movement of all the joints in the body and by that induce less overall muscle spasms and less pain. Furthermore, a slow stretching exercise programs will increase range of motion which will create a huge impact on movement. Stronger and healthier muscles will heal faster.

Manual Therapy
Manual Myofascial release, acupressure and trigger point manual therapy are ideal techniques for fibromyalgia. The deep tissue pressure releases deep muscles which will decrease tension and spasms. Muscle spasms hinder motion and fibromyalgia patients experience a decreased range of motion. Physical therapy manual techniques will help in using muscles more effectively. Manual Therapy will be combined with heat therapies to boost the benefits.

Heat Therapy
Heat therapy is one of the most preferred methods that reduce chronic pain associated with fibromyalgia. Moist Heat triggers the body’s natural healing process by relaxing muscles and increasing blood flow. More blood means more oxygen and more nutrients thus more removal of waste byproducts caused by muscle spasms.

Electric Muscle Stimulation and Ultrasound
EMS reduces muscle spasms and triggers endorphins. Endorphins are natural pain killers secreted by the human body. US increases circulation and reduces muscle spasms, inflammation, stiffness, and pain.