Arthritis Treatment: Manual Therapy Approaches for Relief
Arthritis can have a big impact on your quality of life. Joint pain, stiffness, and limited mobility make it hard to stay active and involved with friends and family–as one of our recent patients found out for himself. Fortunately, physical therapy-based arthritis treatment can offer significant relief.
Tom (not his real name) was a 63-year-old teacher when he began experiencing a dull, aching pain in his right knee. What began as mild discomfort gradually worsened, making it difficult for him to enjoy his favorite hobby, hiking through the nature trails near his home.
Eventually, he sought medical help, where he was diagnosed with osteoarthritis, the most common form of arthritis. It develops when the cartilage and tissue in a joint wear down, causing the bones to rub together. Over time, this damage can lead to pain, inflammation, and a loss of mobility.
There’s no cure for arthritis, but Tom still wanted to manage his symptoms, so he turned to the team at Boulet Physical Therapy and Wellness. We developed a personalized arthritis treatment plan that used manual therapy techniques to ease discomfort and restore Tom’s movement.
Did the program help? Keep reading to find out!
Why We Incorporated Manual Therapy Into Tom’s Arthritis Treatment
The pain and inflammation in Tom’s knee made it difficult for him to move the joint freely. He noticed it most acutely in the morning and after periods of inactivity, but unfortunately, using the joint was becoming increasingly painful. As a result, Tom became less physically active than he’d been in years.
This is a common response to osteoarthritis–which is unfortunate because regular movement and exercise can actually decrease arthritis symptoms over time. Manual therapy can help, however.
Manual therapy is a hands-on technique physical therapists use to mobilize and manipulate joints and soft tissues. It can help improve joint mobility, reduce muscle tension, and relieve pain. For Tom, manual therapy was key to easing his joint stiffness and helping him regain movement.
Tom’s therapist used gentle joint mobilization techniques to stretch the muscles and tissues surrounding his knee, helping relieve pressure from the joint. Over time, we reduced inflammation and restriction in Tom’s knee, making it easier for him to walk without pain.
Adding On: The Role of Exercise in Arthritis Treatment
In addition to manual therapy, we included therapeutic exercises in Tom’s arthritis treatment program to help him build strength in the muscles around his knees. This relieved pressure from the joint, promoted overall stability, and possibly helped slow the progression of his condition.
We guided him through low-impact exercises that were gentle on his joints but effective in strengthening the muscles around them. We also provided him with at-home exercises and encouraged him to begin walking regularly again–the day-long hikes of his youth might be too much for Tom now, but he can still hit the trails with a few modifications.
This combination of manual therapy and therapeutic exercise proved beneficial for Tom. Over time, Tom’s mobility improved, and his pain became more manageable. He could go on longer hikes and even felt comfortable trying some of the more challenging trails.
Find Relief from Arthritis with Manual Therapy
Living with arthritis can be challenging, but physical therapy offers effective ways to manage pain and restore movement. When combined with therapeutic exercise, manual therapy can make a real difference in improving your quality of life.
Are you looking for drug-free ways to manage your arthritis symptoms? The Boulet Physical Therapy and Wellness team can help, just as we did with Tom. Schedule an appointment at our Lafayette, LA clinic today to get started.