Arthritis and You! - What you definitely need to know to banish fear.

Are you reeling from a diagnosis of arthritis? Are you imagining a drastic decline in mobility and then eventually your independence? I am here to tell you that there is life beyond the diagnosis of arthritis. This label doesn’t me that you are doomed to a life of suffering from pain. There is not only hope, but there is something you can do about it, so don’t let the apprehension take over.

First of all, let’s break it down. You may have had an x-ray and the report indicated spondylosis (a fancy word for arthritis). Fortunately x-rays just give you an image of your bones and joints, however, they do not directly correlate to the degree of pain or disability. In fact, seeking assistance early from a physiotherapist can help you regain movement, strength and mobility. So, what are you waiting for?

What no one tells you is that arthritis is a natural consequence of aging. Some younger people experience arthritis and this is known as juvenile arthritis. It is important to note that the wear and tear on your body is not going to change and physiotherapy can have a major impact on how your body functions and by extension your experience of pain.

What is arthritis?

This refers to an inflammation in the joint or joints. The two most common forms of arthritis are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

What are the symptoms?

Arthritis may be characterized with swelling, pain and stiffness which can restrict mobility and movement. You may experience pain when the weather changes and when the rain falls. Symptoms may also feel worse in the morning, especially the stiffness.

Both of these forms of arthritis have the capability of changing how the joint looks. They can lead to deformity. This is largely associated with rheumatoid arthritis.

Treatment

Physiotherapy can successfully treat arthritis by managing the pain without the need for medication.  If done soon enough it can limit joint deformity and disability.  Simply put, you can improve your quality of life by addressing your arthritis with physiotherapy treatment. There are several ways to approach the treatment of arthritis and include but are not limited to pain management, mobilization and therapeutic exercise. Treatment should be designed to achieve your goals and take into consideration previous stressors on your body.

You don’t need to fear getting older and you certainly don’t need to be in pain as you age.