Do you currently have arthritis? Do you suspect that you may be going through early-onset arthritic symptoms? Do your limbs feel sore, weak, or painful? If you have rheumatism, you are not alone. There are more than 100 distinct types of arthritis that can be diagnosed in patients. Most cases of arthritis are found in the elderly, but symptoms can appear in individuals as young as their early middle years.

Treating Arthritis Without Medications

A male athlete who plays professional sports has a higher lifetime risk of developing arthritis than the rest of the general population, according to research published in the American Journal of Sports Medicine. In fact, according to the study’s findings, due to overuse and excessive “wear and tear,” 30% of male athletes who participate in contact sports will ultimately develop arthritis in their knees and hips. 

When treating arthritis, medication is frequently used, primarily to control discomfort. Your doctor might suggest NSAID painkillers, corticosteroids, antirheumatic drugs, or antibiotics for the therapy of arthritis. Put the medication in your mouth and swallow it with water to rapidly relieve your pain. But there are some unfavorable adverse effects to pills. Sometimes they can even develop into habits. NSAIDs could cause heart attacks, strokes, and blood clots as adverse effects. When you use corticosteroids, you run the chance of cataracts, high blood sugar, and bone loss. Fortunately, physical therapy is a much safer and better choice for treating arthritis. Call your physician right away if you are suffering from arthritic pain and want to find some comfort without taking dangerous medications. They’ll put you in touch with a physical trainer who can help you stop taking medication and lessen the symptoms of arthritis! The types of arthritis patients usually need help treating include: 

• Metabolic arthritis: Gout, a condition brought on by uric acid crystals in the joints of the extremities, particularly the feet, is the most prevalent form of metabolic arthritis. This condition frequently happens as a consequence of impaired kidney function. Patients with gout can benefit from physical therapy to regain the range of motion in the affected region and even to lessen the accumulation of acidic crystals that gather in the joints.
• Osteoarthritis: Osteoarthritis is the form of arthritis that is most common. As one ages, “wear and tear” on the joints reduces joint cartilage. Bones rub against one another due to cartilage degradation, discomfort, and edema. Physical therapy can frequently help alleviate pain without medication, mainly if the osteoarthritis is mild to moderate.
• Rheumatoid arthritis: This form of arthritis, also referred to as reactive arthritis, is the second most common. When the body’s immune system attacks the tissues in the joints, it results in severe inflammation. Genetic mutations are frequently to blame for rheumatoid arthritis, which physicians typically aggressively medicate. Physical rehabilitation may also be recommended as a treatment, depending on the severity of the symptoms.

Treating Arthritis Pain With Dearborn & Associates Institute for Joint Restoration

Physical therapy for arthritis has three primary objectives. 1) reducing joint stress to relieve pain, 2) building muscle, and 3) enhancing functional movements and range of motion. Targeted and tested treatment techniques are used. Dr. Danielle Dearborn at Dearborn & Associates can help you manage your arthritis symptoms. Contact us at (510) 818-7200 immediately to make an appointment!