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Medications | Complementary | Physical Therapy | Psychology | Surgery
Physical Therapy
Physical
therapy for arthritis focuses on the concept of getting people functionally
back to normal — or as close to it as possible. In the narrowest sense,
physical therapy concentrates only on "shake" (massage), "bake" (hot packs) and
movement therapies. The broader concept is rehabilitation, which has
essentially five major components:
Repair or fix the problem, if possible
Control the pain
Get the range of motion back Get the tissue health to an optimal level (which
means working on the aerobic health capacity). Strengthen Various types
of hands-on physical therapy approaches are available, beginning with basic
range of motion techniques, light or deep massage, and more specific manual
therapy such as manipulation of joints or organs or the directed movement of
deep fibrous and muscular tissues as in Rolfing. In addition, various kinds of
active therapist-directed and self-directed stretching exercises also help
arthritis patients. Pilates exercises, for example, have become very popular as
a self-directed way to stretch body tissue. Until recently, arthritis
sufferers were advised to rest their painful, inflamed joints. But gradually, doctors have learned that
exercise can be beneficial. Exercise strengthens muscles, ligaments and
tendons, which compensates for weakened joints; flushes fluids cartilage,
drawing nutrients in and toxins out; stimulates healthy cell regeneration, and
limbers and tones the entire body. Many forms of exercise are beneficial,
including stretching, bicycling, low-impact aerobics, dancing, golf, walking,
water calisthenics, yoga, tai chi and even climbing stairs. Comments: Go slowly but consistently. Three to
four times a week, for a total of three to four hours, is the ultimate
goal. Start easy. Build up gradually. Listen to your body and
don't force it to do something that is painful, such as sitting cross-legged
for yoga. If you are suffering from
severe arthritis, heart disease or other health problems, work with your
healthcare professional to develop
a safe exercise program. Most experts agree that if exercise causes pain that
lasts more than one hour, you have exercised too much. In addition to exercise, keeping the back as straight as
possible is critically important in Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS). A physical therapist can teach a person with
AS how to maintain posture and exercises to strengthen the back. Medications | Complementary | Physical Therapy | Psychology | Surgery
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