May Newsletter
Have you recently learned that your persistent joint pain is the result of arthritis? For many, this can be a challenging discovery, as the most common forms of arthritis have no known cures. But rest assured that you do not have to spend your life living with debilitating joint pain — physical therapy can help!
Arthritis refers to several conditions that cause joint inflammation, leading to its two primary symptoms: pain and mobility restriction. The most common form of arthritis, osteoarthritis, can cause pain during movement. It’s no surprise, then, that many people with arthritis wind up avoiding physical activity.
In reality, regular physical activity is one of the best ways to manage arthritis pain. Physical activity can also help delay the progression of arthritis — and help you avoid surgery.
As movement experts, the team at Maccio Physical Therapy is well-equipped to help you manage your arthritis pain. The physical therapy approach to arthritis management focuses on drug-free pain relief and regular movement. Best of all, it allows you to take a proactive role in your treatment.
Let’s look at what happens when you exercise regularly with arthritis — and what happens when you don’t. And if you’d like to learn more, call us to schedule an appointment today!
Got Arthritis? What To Expect if You Skip Regular Exercise
1. Your muscles will weaken: One of the big benefits of exercise is that it builds muscle mass. If you don’t exercise regularly, your muscle mass will decrease — especially if you’re older, as muscle mass naturally decreases as we age.
What does this mean if you have arthritis? Without strong muscles, your impacted joints don’t get the strength and stability they need to function, which puts even more stress on them — and means more pain in the long run.
2. Your joints will get stiffer: Our bodies are made to move, and when we don’t move them frequently enough, our joints don’t get the lubrication they need to run properly. This is as true for people with arthritis as it is for anyone else. Plus, since arthritis causes joint stiffness, not moving will only worsen your symptoms.
3. You increase your risk of injury: When you don’t exercise, you start to lose everyday abilities like balance, stability, and coordination. You can also develop muscular imbalances, improper biomechanics, or postural issues, all of which increase your odds of suffering an injury.
What Happens When You Do Xersize with Arthritis
1. You’ll experience less pain: While it’s true that activity can initially worsen arthritis pain, regular exercise will decrease your pain symptoms over time.
2. You’ll experience fewer mobility restrictions: Just as regular exercise can decrease pain, it will also help improve your range of motion — meaning you can move more easily.
3. The progression of your arthritis may slow: Both osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis — the two most common forms of arthritis — will gradually worsen over time and may eventually require you to undergo surgery. Exercising won’t cure arthritis, but it will slow the damage to your joints.
4. You may feel more empowered: Living with a chronic condition is hard. Regular exercise can help you feel like you’re taking an active role in managing your condition and reducing your pain.
5. You’ll experience other physical and mental benefits: Exercise offers many benefits beyond pain management. It can improve mood and quality of sleep, protect you from heart disease and diabetes, and help you stay active and independent well into old age.
Ready to Start Exercising? Maccio Physical Therapy Can Help!
While the benefits of regular exercise for arthritis are undeniable, getting started can be challenging. Which movements are safe for you to perform? Which will provide you with the most benefits? What should you do if even simple movement is too painful?
This is where our physical therapists shine! We’ll create a customized arthritis treatment plan that speaks to your needs and abilities. Here’s a taste of all that we can offer:
• Acute pain management using manual techniques and pain relieving modalities
• Personalized exercise programs with targeted, progressive exercises that build strength and improve mobility
• Specialized exercise programs to address balance and other functional challenges
• Guidance on general exercise programs to keep you moving outside our clinic
Don’t let arthritis keep you from living an active, healthy lifestyle. Call us today to find out more about our arthritis treatment programs!
Patient Success SPOTLIGHT
“… Recently, knowing that I have osteoarthritis, I thought the pain in my left ankle and right knee were interfering with dog agility and everyday activities like going upstairs were going to be something which I’d have to live with. A well-timed Maccio PT newsletter, discussing knee and joint pain, prompted me to call Maccio… I’m thrilled to be going upstairs with confidence that my right knee won’t make me yelp in pain and my left ankle isn’t going to give me trouble running agility courses with my 3 dogs. I highly recommend Maccio Physical Therapy as the first call whenever aches and pains get in the way of enjoying life. The number of exercises they have and their ability to adjust them as needed for each issue is amazing. They also helped me modify the exercises so I could do them anywhere, even at an agility trial.”
—Dottie
“My neck pain seemed very severe. X-rays showed nothing but some arthritis. My first treatment reduced my neck pain 90% at least. I feel empowered to use my prescribed exercises when in need. Very worthwhile.”
—Marygrace
Greta, Wills, Fritz, & Roberta’s Corner
Moms are like Superheroes!
Moms are like superheroes — they’re always there to help, support, and make everything better! Whether they’re giving the best hugs, making yummy snacks, or reminding us to sit up straight (Senior approves!), moms deserve all the love today and every day.
So, give your mom an extra big hug, help her with a chore (without being asked!), and maybe even teach her a fun tip from Senior — like how to stretch after a long day of being awesome!
Free Workshop
It’s Your Choice
Patient Choice — You have a choice to pick whatever physical therapy provider you wish. It is imperative to do your research in this area to be able to make this important choice.
Direct Access — Most insurance companies will allow you to see a physical therapist first before seeing your doctor.
Why Choose PT First?
“Positive MRI result should not be an indication for surgery unless the history and physical examination were found to be consistent with the MRI result.” (Robert F. LaPrade, MD — Steadman Research Institute)
“There is poor correlation between a patient’s clinical presentation and the reported MRI findings.” (Richard Herzog, MD, FACR — Hospital for Special Surgery)
It is extremely rare that we refer out for X-rays or MRIs with direct access patients, as the MDT mechanical examination is safe, effective, and rules out any serious concerns.
DID YOU SPOT OUR MISSPELLED WORD?
Don’t forget to call in with the misspelled word in each newsletter and refer a friend or family member to be entered to win a gift card!
Congratulations to our winners this month!
Referral: Christine I. & Eric W.
Misspelled Word: Linda K.
Let’s Get You Better ASAP!
Don’t let pain dictate your life. Take the first step towards reclaiming your mobility and well-being with our expert support. Start your journey to a healthier you today.
