BouletPT_Relief from Your Arthritis Pain

HEALTH & WELLNESS The Newsletter About Your Health and Caring for Your Body

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What Are the Best Exercises for Arthritis? • Shoulder Pain & Rotator Cuff Workshop: June 30 • Meet Our Team: Kristin Simmons • Healthy Recipe

RELIEF FROM YOUR ARTHRITIS PAIN

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119 Representative Row Lafayette LA, 70508 Phone: (337) 264-9856 Fax: (337) 261-5042

DIRECT ACCESS: You Don’t Need a Referral for Physical Therapy! Come See Us and Take Hold of a Changed Life!

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FINALLY, RELIEF F ROM Y O U R A RT HR I T I S PA I N

When you experience an injury, dealing with the pain that comes as part of the aftermath is expected. While painful, most of the time when recovering from an injury you can find comfort in the knowledge that the pain is temporary. As your body heals, as you go through the motions of building your muscle mass back and improving flexibility with physical therapy, you know that in time you will feel like yourself again. This knowledge gives you something to work towards, and helps the pain feel more manageable—even when it is intense, and never-fleeting. Arthritis pain is different. Arthritis doesn’t develop as a result of an injury but instead develops over time as a result of chronic use, or even as a result of genetic disposition. This can make dealing with the pain of arthritis even more difficult to cope with, as it begs the question: if the pain is coming from inside the joint, is there anything I can actually do about it? Understanding Arthritis Pain Osteoarthritis is the most common chronic condition to affect the joints. Almost 30

million adults in the United States struggle with the condition and while it can influence anyone of any age, it most frequently develops among those who are most prone to overuse—those who are over the age of 65. Arthritis occurs when there is a breakdown of the cartilage that covers the ends of the bones. This cartilage is what allows the joints in the elbows, ankles, knees, and hips to move with freedom. Without cartilage, the bones would rub against one another with each movement and would cause extreme pain. As the cartilage breaks down, so, typically, does the bone, and as the shape of the joint changes it becomes even more difficult for it to function smoothly. Furthermore, the ligaments and tendons around the joint will often stiffen, and the muscles surrounding the joint will weaken, making it altogether more difficult and painful to move. While arthritis pain typically develops gradually, the realization of what you are dealing with can still come as a shock.

In some circumstances the pain will appear more abruptly, especially when the pain develops in association with a change in weather or other environmental circumstance. Overcoming Arthritis Turning to over the counter pain medications to cope with arthritis pain is ineffective as a long-term solution. While some of the medications may provide temporary relief, they will not help you overcome the pain for good. Physical therapy, on the other hand, can provide actual relief from arthritis by helping to rebuild strength in the joints through targeted movements and flexibility exercises. There is a lot of current research trying to understand what precisely causes arthritis to develop in some people, and not in others. Everyone uses their joints every day, and while it makes sense that so much pressure would cause pain to develop over time, it doesn’t explain why the pain develops when and where it does, and why it happens to some people and not to others.

ARTHRITIS DOESN’T HAVE TO HOLD YOU BACK: CALL (337) 264-9856 TODAY!

Anti-inflammation and Arthritis One leading form of arthritis treatment is with the use of anti- inflammatory medication. Certain types of arthritis develop as a result of a build-up of inflammation in the body. Specifically, the tendons and ligaments become inflamed as a result of an internal attack from the immune system, which is typically triggered by some combination of environmental factors. Avoiding certain foods and movements can reduce inflammation, and thereby reduce pain. Physical Therapy and Arthritis Physical therapy is highly recommended for the treatment of arthritis because it can strengthen and support the joints through the guided practice of movement and strength-building exercises. Typically, the best activities for arthritis pain are low-impact activities. Working with a physical therapist is the best way to ensure that you are practicing the best techniques for overcoming your discomfort. There is a long list of home remedies that are said to help with arthritis pain as well, and there is some credibility to some of these concepts. For example, losing weight, exercising regularly, and making some dietary changes such as reducing caffeine and sugar consumption are said to help alleviate pain associated with arthritis. However, before you start making any changes to your lifestyle, it is best to consult with a physical therapist. For more information about how to rid your life of arthritis pain, call us today at 337-264-9856 or visit our website at bouletptandwellness.com. Your physical therapist will determine your best course of treatment dependent upon the nature of your condition and your personal medical needs.

Regularly flexing your joints and exercising your body canhelp you feel andmove better. Research indicates that exercise can reduce your arthritis pain. Based on your particular condition and WHAT ARE THE BEST EXERCISES FOR ARTHRITIS?

type of arthritis, your physical therapist may recommend the following kinds of physical therapy exercises: 1. Strength-Building Exercises - Gentle, careful weight training can lend extra stability to your joints, helping yourmuscles and connective tissues assume more of the joints’ burden. 2.Aerobic Exercises - Aerobic exercises boost your circulation. This increase in the circulation

supports joint tissue health while helping inflammatory substances and excess fluids to exit the joints. 3. Flexibility Exercises - These exercises are designed to help you increase your range of motion with less pain. They can be as simple as arm raises or shoulder rolls. 4.Water Walking - If yourweight-bearing joints make walking difficult, your physical therapist may prescribewaterwalking instead. Standing in awater-filled pool reduces the amount of weight your jointsmust support, allowing you to exercise moreeasily and comfortably.Workingout inwater providesexercise that is soothingandnon-impact. Your physical therapistmay recommend aheated pool to help relieve pain in arthritic joints. We are here to help reduce the pain from your arthritis and improve your function. Call us today for a consultationand treatment plan suggestions.

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OUR SERVICES • Cupping • Dry Needling • Electrical Stimulation • Ergonomic Training • IASTM • Joint Mobilization

NEXT SHOULDER PAIN & ROTATOR CUFFWORKSHOP: JUNE 30 , 6PM Upcoming Workshops: • Arthritis: JULY 28, 6PM • Shoulder Pain & Rotator Cuff: AUGUST 25, 6PM

• Muscle Energy Techniques • Myofascial Release • Postural Re-Education/ Training • Therapeutic Exercise

If you or someone you know is experiencing rotator cuff or shoulder pain, then this is the event you don’t want to miss! Come learn about the common causes of shoulder pain and what successful natural treatment methods look like without the use of drugs, injections, or surgery. The workshop is FREE to all that attend. Seating is limited, so call to reserve your chair at (337) 264-9856. Only 20 spots available for this workshop.

• Ultrasound • Vestibular Therapy

• Kinesio Taping • Laser Therapy • Manual Therapy

Call us at (337) 264-9856 to Register Today!

MEET OUR TEAM: KRISTIN SIMMONS

HAS YOUR PA I N COME BACK?

GYM SP E C I A L I S T PT T E CHN I C I AN

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Keep up with your physical therapy exercises to relieve pain and prevent further injuries. If your pain doesn’t subside, consult with your therapist about what other things might be causing pain.

Kristin is originally from Minnesota and moved to Lafayette 13 years ago. She is mother to a young boy and she is currently working on her Associate Degree in Criminal Justice at Purdue University. Kristin has worked in the medical field for three years. Her favorite part of working in the PT gym is laughing with her patients and getting to know each one of them through their stories. Her hobbies include working out at her local gym and spending time with friends. She recently got engaged and is looking forward to planning her upcoming wedding.

Call Boulet Physical Therapy & Wellness Institute for a

complimentary injury consultation. We will guide you so you can get back to the activities you love.

Prone Hip Extension While lying face down with your legs straight, slowly raise one leg up off of the floor, about 10 inches into the air. Relax and hold for 3-5 seconds before placing leg back down to starting position. Repeat the exercise 6 times on both legs. EXERC I SE ESSENT I AL S US E T H I S E X E RC I S E TO R E L I E V E T I GH T H I PS & T H I GHS Exercises copyright of

GIVE YOURSELF AN IMMUNITY BOOST! VITAMIN BURST SMOOTHIE

• 1 cup fresh orange juice • 1/2 cup milk (coconut, almond, or substitute plain or vanilla yogurt) • 1/2 cup frozen strawberries • 1/2 cup mango

• 1/2 cup pineapple • 1 tsp freshly minced ginger (or more to taste) • Optional: 1-2 tsp raw honey; a handful of fresh baby spinach; 1-2 tbsp almond butter

Add the ingredients to a blender and blend on high speed until completely smooth, scraping down the blender as needed. Add a drizzle of honey or extra ginger to taste, pour into glasses, and enjoy. Bursting with healing Vitamin C, this hydrating smoothie will increase the infection-fighting ability of your immune system. fountainavenuekitchen.com/recipe/immunity-boosting-smoothie

Always consult your physical therapist or physician before starting exercises you are unsure of doing.