Arthritis in the knees is difficult to live with because it affects your ability to walk, run and even stand without pain. There are many treatments available for arthritis in the knee, but there is no cure for the condition. One effective method of treatment for managing the pain and improving your mobility is physical therapy.
Why physical therapy for treating knee arthritis?
Since there are a variety of treatments available for arthritis in the knees, you may be wondering why you would choose physical therapy. Well, physical therapy has a number of benefits for people with knee arthritis, including:
- Less dependency on pain medication — Medications can help reduce the damaging inflammation caused by arthritis and help mask the pain. However, they often come with undesirable side effects and can create an addiction. By treating arthritis with physical therapy, you can reduce and even eliminate the need for medication.
- Reduced need for surgery — Sometimes, surgery is necessary to repair the damage caused by arthritis. However, by treating arthritis earlier on with physical therapy, you can reduce the need for surgery. This is beneficial because surgery is painful and comes with high risks.
- Improved range of motion — One of the main challenges you face with knee arthritis is fully bending and straightening your knee. An objective of many physical therapy treatments for knee arthritis is improving the range of motion of your knee. This is achieved using a variety of techniques combined into a personalized treatment.
How do physical therapists treat knee arthritis?
At Whatcom Physical Therapy in Point Roberts, Washington, we specialize in many treatments for knee arthritis, including:
- Stretches and exercises — Stretches and exercises can strengthen the muscles and tissues in and around the knee and improve their flexibility. This improves support for your knee, which reduces pressure off the joint.
- Manual therapy — Physical therapists can use hands-on manual therapy techniques to mobilize the joint and the surrounding soft tissue. These mobilizations can help reduce tension that affects your knee when you have arthritis and can reduce pressure from within the joint. This all ultimately helps to reduce your pain and improve your range of motion.
- Posture guidance — Poor posture can contribute to your arthritis pain. Physical therapists can examine your posture and help you make corrections to reduce pressure off of your knees.
Visit Whatcom Physical Therapy in Point Roberts, WA, for knee arthritis treatment
Is arthritis in your knees keeping you from living the life you want to live? Our team at Whatcom Physical Therapy in Point Roberts can help. Contact our team today for more information about knee arthritis treatment or to schedule an initial appointment.
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