Joint Problems

Joints play an important part in the body, particularly in support, balance and movement. Because of this, it is susceptible to disease, injury or damage. Joint problems can arise out of various causes; and once this happens, it can interfere with your daily activities.

There are various conditions that can give rise to joint problems. Among the most common causes are injuries, sprains, strains, gout, bursitis, osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. The most common symptom is joint pain. The joints that are usually affected are those in the knees. Other problems affect the other joints like the ones found in the shoulders and hips. Some joint pain may just go away after a few days or weeks. This is called acute pain. However, other pain lasts long and keep on coming back. This is chronic pain, which needs a serious medical attention.

There are various available treatments for joint problems. This depends on the underlying cause, the severity of the condition, and the presence of other symptoms. The ultimate goal of these treatments is to reduce the pain and inflammation and to restore or preserve joint function. The common treatment options include medications, injections, home care and physical therapy. But regardless of which treatment option you take, physical therapy plays an important part.

The Importance of Physical Therapy in Joint Problems

Physical therapy can help treat joint problems like arthritis. It works by alleviating the joint pain and easing the muscle. With the help from an experienced, licensed and passionate physical therapists, you will be able to move better and strengthen your muscles. Among the things that might need during your physical therapy sessions or rehabilitation are the following: stretches and exercises, ice and heat application, ultrasound massage, and electrical nerve or muscle stimulation.

When people think of severe joint problems, they immediately think of surgery. But really, oftentimes, you don’t have to go that far. In many cases, all you need for treatment is physical therapy. And even if you undergo surgery, your doctor will likely recommend physical therapy to speed up your recovery.  This goes to show that physical therapy works both as a treatment in itself, and as an aid to other joint problem treatments.

Initial Sessions

The initial sessions are crucial. During your first visit, your physical therapist will evaluate your joint issues by looking at your legs and knees, checking how your knee bends, moves or straightens.  The therapist will check out the troubled spots. With this, along with other discussions, your therapist will come up with a treatment plan designed to alleviate the pain and speed up the recovery.

Subsequent Visits

Sticking to the plan, your therapist will then focus on cutting out the pain, putting the stress off your knee and making your muscles stronger. Your therapist will guide and teach you certain exercises which you can perform at home. The common exercises include hamstring curls, single leg dips, step-ups, wall squats, straight leg lifts, and balancing exercises. Depending on your case and the severity of the pain, your therapist may recommend electrical nerve stimulation. This method eases pain, boosts blood flow, improves muscle strength, and promotes better knee movement.

Get Physical Therapy

While there are joint problems that are not severe, it is always better to be extra careful. If the pain and other symptoms persist, get professional help as soon as possible. Do not wait for the joint problem to get worse. Stopping the problem at its onset is way better than treating it when it has already at its worst stage.

Get the best treatment in the area. GSC Therapy Services have a team of physical therapists experienced in treating various joint issues. Make an appointment with us today.