What is Physiotherapy for Arthritis?
To achieve the goals mentioned above, the physical therapist can basically use 3 methods, electrotherapy to combat pain, moist heat to help reduce inflammation in the joint and exercises to gain joint amplitude and muscle strengthening.
Warm water bags, whirlpools and paraffin baths are some examples of treatment with moist heat, which are used to treat arthritis in the hands, wrists, feet or ankles due to the ease of application of the technique. Moist heat is able to increase local metabolism, improve blood circulation, decrease pain, facilitate movements and consequently fight inflammation, allowing better movement with the affected joint.
After using moist heat, techniques should be used to increase joint and muscle amplitude in the affected region through joint mobilization, gain in range of motion and stretching. Depending on the individual’s evolution, specific exercises should be started to gain strength using elastic bands and/or weights at the end of each treatment.
You can exchange heat for ice, but the latter does not always achieve as good results as the former. It is up to the physical therapist after evaluating the individual to decide what is the best therapeutic approach for him.
Arthritis home treatment
Home treatment for arthritis consists of avoiding straining and bad posture, but you shouldn’t just sit or lie down all day. It is important to lead an active life to ensure minimal muscle effort and improve blood circulation. In the case of arthritis in the hands, a great home treatment is to dip your hands in a basin of warm water for 20 minutes and then open and close your hands and fingers several times in a row on days when physical therapy is not done.
Arthritis exercises
In a more advanced phase of treatment, where the individual feels less pain and is already able to perform some type of strength with the affected muscles, regular practice of physical exercises such as swimming, for example, should be indicated, which will strengthen the muscles. without harming the joints, being well tolerated and achieving great results.
Other exercises recommended for arthritis sufferers are water aerobics, Pilates and Tai chi.
