Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Common in older adults and anyone with a very active lifestyle or job, osteoarthritis is a condition that can reduce the range of motion you enjoy in your hands, hips, knees, or spine. Although it’s common to believe that the best way to treat a condition like osteoarthritis is with lots of rest and relaxation, a recent study showed that an exercise program was key in reducing pain and improving physical function.
What is Osteoarthritis?
As we age, the cartilage in our bodies breaks down and wears away. Most people will experience some degree of wearing of their cartilage, but severe cases result in a condition known as osteoarthritis. When the tissue around our joints wears away enough that our bones rub against one another without the protective barrier of cartilage, pain, swelling, and loss of motion may result.
According to information on osteoarthritis from the government’s National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases:
“Over time, the joint may lose its normal shape. Also, bone spurs may grow on the edges of the joint. Bits of bone or cartilage can break off and float inside the joint space, which causes more pain and damage.”
Osteoarthritis is most often seen in older people, but it can occur in younger patients when there is an injury. Some of the risk factors include age, excess weight, joint injuries, and joint stress from jobs or sports. An estimated 50 million adults in the United States suffer from the condition, according to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention.
Experiencing knee pain? It may be osteoarthritis. Learn more about our medical center and available treatments.
Treating Osteoarthritis
When the doctor at your family practice or medical center diagnoses you with osteoarthritis, you’ll discuss a variety of treatment plans based upon the severity of your condition, as well as your lifestyle and overall health.
Some treatments may include:
- Exercise
- Pain relief techniques
- Rest
- Weight control
In some cases, you may need surgery and medication. Regular checkups with your doctor and eventual visits to physical therapy clinics may be part of your overall treatment plan.
How Exercise Benefits Those with OsteoarthritisImage may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Over the past few decades, a variety of studies have shown that exercise is an essential component of treating conditions like osteoarthritis. It’s natural to assume that physical activity can wear joints out, but studies have shown that a supervised exercise program actually has the reverse effect on joints by helping patients gain muscle strength, which encourages joint stability.
The consensus from medical professionals is that a half hour of exercise each day is important for everyone. However, keeping joints strong means it’s doubly important for anyone at risk for osteoarthritis or who is already suffering from the condition. Exercise is also an ideal treatment solution for anyone who wishes to avoid medicine like painkillers.
The results of a series of studies on osteoarthritis and exercise were recently published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, and researchers wanted to find out if gaining muscle strength would lead to less wear and tear around the joints.
” Land-based, weight-bearing exercise strengthens the muscles around the knee.”
If you have questions about joint pain, or you’d like to know more about treatment plans for osteoarthritis, an appointment at Pro-Care Medical Center will help get you the answers you need.
The post Physical Therapy Tip: Exercises Eases Osteoporosis appeared first on Pro-Care Medical Center.