| Therapy of Arthritis |
| Written by John Sinatra | |
Therapy for Rheumatoid ArthritisRheumatoid Arthritis is a debilitating chronic condition in which the immune system attacks the healthy joints leading to inflammation and pain. There are many tests that can be done for diagnosing rheumatoid arthritis and a wide array of rheumatoid arthritis medication available to people who are suffering with the disease. One very important treatment available to people that have rheumatoid arthritis is physical therapy. Therapy for rheumatoid arthritis is available in two different forms. These two forms are physical therapy and occupational therapy and each one is designed to help people that are suffering with this disease to be able to enjoy their lives more fully and not be overcome by the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis .Physical therapy focuses primarily on getting a patient moving around more frequently and with less pain. The main goal is to have the patient moving to keep their joints from getting to stiff due to inflammation and swelling Physical therapists work on increasing a patients muscle strength and fitness levels. These individuals are specially trained to understand how bones, joints and muscles work together. They have an excellent understanding of what problems can occur with the bones, joints and muscles and what solutions and therapies will work the best at correcting any particular problems that develop. Physical therapy is beneficial to anyone who has been diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis at any stage or level of progression of the disease. During the early stages of rheumatoid arthritis a physical therapist will do a medical evaluation to determine a patients level of fitness and how well they are able to function as well as determining strength ability. The physical therapists will then special tailor a special therapy plan to help maintain functionality and improve a patient’s chance of avoiding additional joint problems. Once a patient has moderate to severe or advanced rheumatoid arthritis a physical therapist can help them to maintain or increase movement, flexibility and strength. Physical therapists will work alongside patients that have rheumatoid arthritis to determine long term goals for every joint affected with the disease. One important element to physical therapy is exercise. Patients will work with their physical therapist doing stretching and flexibility exercises as well as strength training and aerobic exercises. Exercise is vital to the overall health and well being of people with rheumatoid arthritis. It helps to keep patients trim which relieves stress on affected joints. This will in turn make patients happier which aids in mental well being. Another method that physical therapists use is heat and ice to treat inflamed joints, as well as massage therapy for those for suffer from chronic pain. Physical therapy is also a great source of encouragement to those who have rheumatoid arthritis which boasts morale. It often is very beneficial for a patient to know that someone is cheering for them and is trying to help them feel the best that they can. Another form of therapy for people with rheumatoid arthritis is occupational therapy. Occupational therapy helps individuals to be more independent and better able to handle and perform tasks without assistance. Occupational therapists have many tools to assist them in aiding a person with rheumatoid arthritis. They help patients to be able to perform normal daily tasks at home and at work in an easier manner to reduce pain and suffering. Occupational therapists will do an efficiency analysis to determine where a patient is wasting energy and unnecessarily stressing their joints.. They will them show a patient how to reduce the stress on the joints and save energy while performing daily tasks. Occupational therapists can also provide assistive devices that can be very beneficial in assisting with simple daily tasks that may have become too difficult to do such as buttoning a shirt, combing hair, grasping a spoon, cooking, turning a doorknob and getting dressed. |
| Next > |
|---|