How Physical Therapy Reduce Arthritis Pain
Posted On: March 19, 2025 by Robert Matijevich
Arthritis pain can be excruciating. Patients try to find a way out of medications. And this is certainly a good option. But you can’t do without physiotherapy. After all, it is especially important at such a time to keep your body in good shape. This is a powerful tool for arthritis treatment. It helps to reduce mobility, relieve pain, and potentially reduce dependence on drugs or surgery. Find out how physiotherapy can help change the situation.
What is arthritis?
It is the inflammation, swelling, and tenderness of one or more joints. Patients experience pain and stiffness, which often worsens with age. There are over 100 types of arthritis, but the two most common forms are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
The main signs include joint pain and stiffness (worse with inactivity or overuse). There may be swelling, redness, or warmth around the affected joints. The patient feels a decrease in range of motion. Osteoarthritis involves the breakdown of cartilage, the smooth tissue that cushions the bone that ends at the joints.
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease. In this case, the immune system attacks the linings of the joints. Early diagnosis and individualized care are critical to managing symptoms and maintaining mobility. PT can be extremely helpful.
How Therapists Help with Arthritis
PT exercises significantly reduce the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis.
For osteoarthritis of the knee and hip joints, doctors recommend controlled exercises as a first-line treatment. Manual therapy is optimal as a secondary option.
PT also teaches adaptive strategies to minimize the risk of injury in the future.
Physical Therapy’s Main Goals
It helps people move safely, reduce pain, and restore daily function. Licensed physical therapists have the degrees and clinical experience to diagnose, treat, and prevent conditions that limit mobility. Here’s how PT can change your life with arthritis.
The goals of arthritis PT are:
- Improve overall fitness to combat stiffness and fatigue.
- Strengthen muscles to support and stabilize affected joints.
- Restore joint mobility and flexibility.
- Maintain daily function (e.g., walking, climbing stairs, self-care).
What a Physical Therapist Does
PTs create customized treatment plans that fit your type of arthritis, joint involvement, and lifestyle. Exercises focus on improving strength, flexibility, and balance through targeted movements. Low-impact activities include swimming or yoga to protect joints. Pain management techniques involve teaching proper posture and body mechanics to reduce stress.
Heat/cold therapy and shoe inserts for comfort are recommended. Physical therapy also includes guidance on the safe use of canes, walkers, or splints to improve mobility. Ergonomic adjustments (e.g., soft mats and supportive chairs) are important to make daily tasks easier.
The Main Benefits of PT
Physical therapy strengthens, relieves pressure and inflammation, and restores flexibility and range of motion. It is also an excellent injury prevention tool. A physical therapist helps to avoid tension and minimize the risk of future injury.
A set of exercises also helps in rehabilitation after joint replacement or other procedures.
Types of PT for Arthritis
Let’s look at some common types of PT. Manual therapy involves various manual manipulations of joints and soft tissue massage to relieve stiffness. Individual exercises are used to strengthen muscles and upgrade joint function. Orthopedic support involves the use of splints, orthoses, or shoe inserts to align and support joints. Post-operative rehabilitation is guided rehabilitation to restore strength and mobility after surgery. Always consult with a licensed physical therapist before beginning any program.
Targeted Exercises for Arthritis Relief
Fight osteoarthritis with these gentle, mobility-enhancing moves. Listen to your body. Mild soreness is normal, but stop if you feel sharp pain. Aim for daily practice, adjusting repetitions as needed. Maintain a healthy weight, practice good posture, and lift objects with bent knees.
Practice movements that are beneficial for your body. Let’s study the most useful ones. There is physical therapy for arthritis in the knee. Strengthen your quadriceps by slowly sitting down and getting up from a chair. Hold the chair for balance, lift one leg to your buttocks, hold, and repeat.
Do stretching while lying down. Lie face down, gently pull one ankle toward your thigh to stretch the hip. The following exercises will help strengthen the hips. Lie on your side, bend your knees, and lift the top knee, keeping your legs together.
Do side leg raises. Lie on your side, lift your top leg straight up, then slowly lower it. Practice relieving tension in the neck and shoulders. Especially important if you sit at the computer a lot.
Roll your shoulders back and forth to relieve tension. Slowly turn your head from side to side, then tilt your ears toward your shoulders.
Physical therapy for arthritis in the back is also necessary. Lower body rotations can help improve lower back mobility and relieve joint tension. Lie on your back with your knees bent and your feet flat. Keep your knees together and slowly rotate them to the right. Return to the center position, then rotate to the left. Repeat 10 times on each side, 2-3 times a day.
Try this exercise to stretch your lower back and open up your joints. Lie on your back with your knees bent. Place your hands under your knees and gently pull them toward your chest. Hold for 20-30 seconds, keeping your head and back straight. Repeat this exercise 2-3 times a day. If it seems too difficult, pull one knee toward your chest instead of both.
Practice hamstring stretching. The goal of this exercise is to increase flexibility in the hamstrings. Lie on your back with the strap over your right foot. Gently pull the strap to lift your leg until you feel a stretch. Hold for 30 seconds, then lower slowly. Repeat 3 times per leg per day.
How to create spinal support? Strengthen your abdominal muscles. Lie on your back with your knees bent and your spine in a neutral position. Engage your lower abs by drawing your belly button toward your spine. Hold for 10 seconds, breathing evenly. Do 2-3 sets of 10 reps per day. Consult a physical therapist to customize exercises to your needs.
Do low-impact cardio options. Whatever you enjoy, walk, swim, do aqua aerobics, yoga, or tai chi. Relieve muscle tension and improve joint health.
Conclusion
Are you suffering from pain? Be sure to consult with our specialist. A physiotherapist will help develop a program based on your type of arthritis, severity, and lifestyle. The main thing is to follow the specialist’s recommendations regularly. And you will be amazed at the results you get. Get rid of pain and live an active, fulfilling life. Welcome to Mossy Creek Rehab! Sign up for a consultation!
