Joint pain is a recurring ailment in the hands, feet, hips, knees, and spine. Patients may experience continuous or intermittent pain, burning, throbbing, or ‘grating’ sensations. Consulting a physical therapist can help address the underlying cause of joint pain, such as weak or tight muscles, poor movement patterns, muscle imbalance and injury.
These highly trained medical professionals can treat various injuries, diseases, pain, and mobility issues. Besides, they also help recover from joint replacement or repair surgery.
Joint pain can affect one’s ability to perform daily tasks and lowers the quality of life. That’s why undergoing proper treatment can address the pain and impaired activities. However, it’s essential to consider the causes of joint pain, which are discussed in detail below.
Causes of Joint Pain
Several injuries or conditions can cause joint pain. Generally, joint pain is caused due to arthritis, bursitis, and muscle pain. Nevertheless, the pain can be from mild to excruciating if not treated in the early stages.
Arthritis is the most common condition as a result of increased joint pain. Besides, swelling and tenderness in one or more joints can also increase the risk of arthritis. The common causes of arthritis are described in detail below:
- Osteoarthritis
This common type of arthritis occurs when the cartilage, the protective cushion between the bones, wears over time. The joints stiffen and become painful, while the condition develops gradually and troubles the patients as they age.
- Rheumatoid Arthritis
This condition typically affects the joints in the hands, wrists, and feet. However, they also affect other joints, such as the knees, shoulders, and hips. The inflammation caused by rheumatoid arthritis can damage the cartilage and bones in the affected joints, causing deformities and loss of function and mobility.
- Gout
This painful condition is characterised by the buildup of body crystals (uric acid) in the joint that causes excruciating pain.
- Tendinitis
Tendinitis is an inflammation of the tendons between the flexible bands that connect bone and muscle. The pain is usually a result of overuse and is most commonly seen in the elbow, heel, or shoulder joints.
The ailments or conditions above can be overwhelming for the patients. However, they can manage pain and maximize mobility through dedicated physical therapies, as discussed below.
Physical Therapy for Joint Pain
Arthritis treatment generally includes some form of physiotherapy. Physiotherapists are a team of healthcare professionals maximizing patient mobility to perform daily activities. Besides, they also work as movement specialists who can teach you ways to protect your joints.
Physiotherapists may suggest you some low-impact aerobic activities and exercises for arthritis that do not strain your joints. They may include:
- Brisk walking
- Cycling
- Light Gardening
- Dancing
You should try to stay active if you are suffering from arthritis. Many people believe exercise may aggravate their pain or damage their joints. However, joints require optimum mobility, while inactivity can weaken them.
Your concerns and treatment objectives will determine the best type of physical therapy for joint pain. So, look for a physical therapist specializing in managing arthritis and increasing joint mobility.
Goals of Physical Therapy
A physiotherapist will ask you about your current level of activity and any specific problems you’re experiencing before starting physical therapy for joint pain. They will also examine your joints to determine muscle strength and test your range of motion. Knowing about the therapy sessions can help physiotherapists tailor your treatment, exercise, and activity plan for optimum results.
Working with a physical therapist can help manage the symptoms, improve mobility, and enhance physical function. They will also teach you specific exercises and techniques to help alleviate the pain and discomfort.
A physical therapist will also assess your body mechanics, posture, and muscle imbalances. A physical therapist can develop a personalized exercise routine and stretching regimen. The benefits of the same are enlisted below:
- Pain relief
- Improve your movement patterns
- Extend your range of motion
Exercise and Joint Pain
A graded exercise program can help you gradually increase your strength, stamina, mobility, and activity levels. Your physiotherapist will show you how to slowly and gradually increase your activity level without straining your joints and exacerbating your pain. Your physiotherapist will most likely advise a combination of
- Stretching exercises to help relieve aches and pains and maximize mobility.
- Strengthening exercises to help build or maintain strength in the muscles supporting your joints.
- General fitness exercises that are important for overall health.
- Proprioceptive exercises to improve balance, coordination, and agility.
Besides the medications, a physiotherapist can advise you on alternative pain relief methods. You can also continue with some treatments between appointments, such as
- Ice packs to relieve sore, swollen joints.
- Ice packs to relax tense, tired muscles.
- Support splints for swollen or painful joints
- TENS alters pain signals sent to the brain. A TENS machine is a small electronic device that uses pads on your skin to send pulses to nerve endings. It causes a pleasant tingling sensation to reduce pain.
Summing Up!
According to recent studies, one in every four adults has arthritis— around 15 million people—reports severe arthritis-related joint pain. Osteoarthritis affects over 15 million adults each year, with India accounting for 22% to 39% of the global total.
Help is available if joint pain limits your range of motion and interferes with your daily activities. Including various techniques in a treatment plan, such as manual therapy, Physical Therapy for Joint pain, stretching and strengthening exercises, and joint pain physiotherapy can help reduce joint pain and improve mobility.