Does your arthritis keep you from doing the things you want to do? Making a few simple lifestyle changes and scheduling physical therapy treatments at a rehabilitation center can ease your pain and stiffness. Your Somerset, KY, physical therapy assistants, Betty Tucker, Rachel Wagers, and Jennifer Graham, offer a variety of therapeutic services at Cumberland Physical Therapy & Rehab.
What you can do at home to increase your comfort
Following a few of these suggestions may decrease pain and other arthritis symptoms:
- Take Over-the-Counter Medication: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication like naproxen sodium and ibuprofen, help decrease pain, swelling and inflammation.
- Patch It: Capsaicin patches can help you keep arthritis pain under control. The patches dull the nerves that transmit pain signals, reducing pain.
- Lose Weight: Have you noticed that your arthritis symptoms have worsened since you gained some weight? Shedding those extra pounds will decrease stress on your joints and may reduce arthritic pain.
- Try Heat or Cold: Applying an ice pack to your aching joints will decrease pain and inflammation. Heating pads, hot showers or baths, and hot water bottles reduce joint stiffness.
- Take a Walk: When your joints hurt, the last thing you may feel like doing is exercising, yet exercise can actually decrease your pain and relieve stiffness. Low-impact exercises, like walking, swimming or riding a stationary bicycle, are best.
How physical therapy can help you
Physical therapy can help you accomplish your goals, whether you want to climb the stairs without pain or walk in a Somerset 5K event. During therapy sessions, you'll perform exercises that stretch and strengthen the muscles that support your joints. Therapy can decrease stiffness, improve mobility and increase your range of motion.
Your physical therapy assistant can help you decrease pressure on your joints by offering tips that will improve your posture. She may also offer recommendations for ergonomic furniture or suggest braces or other devices that will help ease your pain.
Could a visit to a rehabilitation center help you with your arthritis pain? Call your physical therapy assistants in Somerset, KY, Betty Tucker, Rachel Wagers and Jennifer Graham of Cumberland Physical Therapy & Rehab, at (606) 678-5708 to schedule an appointment.