OrthosportsPT_ Relieve arthritis pains with these simple st…

OrthosportsPT_ Relieve arthritis pains with these simple st…

Health & Fitness We help people in pain return to normal naturally.

Are you in pain and want to know how physical therapy can help? Our therapists are happy to provide a free screening of your condition. Call 716.839.3705 (Amherst) or 716.634.1578 (Clarence) to schedule!

Did you know that arthritis is the leading cause of disability across the United States? According to the Arthritis Foundation, approximately 50 million people live with arthritis. While it is possible for arthritis to develop in any joint, it most commonly affects the neck, back, hands, hips, and knees. There are hundreds of different types of arthritis but the most common are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Osteoarthritis is the most common, and it happens as a gradual “wear and tear” of cartilage surrounding the joints. This can occur from age or from excessive, repetitive use of the affected joint(s). When cartilage is worn down, it can no longer act as a strong cushion and shock absorber for the joints, resulting in bone-to-bone friction and painful inflammation. Rheumatoid arthritis is a bit different from osteoarthritis and it is not as well understood. It is the second most commonly experienced form of arthritis, and it develops as an autoimmune response. When someone has rheumatoid arthritis, their immune system sees the joints as a threat. Because of this, the immune system attacks the joints, resulting in pain and inflammation. While research is still being done in order to better understand rheumatoid arthritis, many experts believe that your hormones, medical history, and environment could all be contributing factors. Whatever may be causing your arthritis pain, OrthosportsPT can help you find relief. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and find out how our services can benefit you! RELIEVE ARTHRITIS PAINS WITH THESE SIMPLE STEPS

(continued inside)

Call 716.839.3705 (Amherst) or 716.634.1578 (Clarence) to schedule today!

RELIEVE ARTHRITIS PAINSWITH THESE SIMPLE STEPS (continued outside)

5. Have commonly- having to reach hig 6. Get up and move for a break. 7. Avoid prolonged 8. Maintain proper 9. Drink plenty of w 10. Eat nutritious f 11. Avoid fried food body. 12. Work with your with a yearly check If you are living wi treatment programs you are performing OrthosportsPT.

How can Physical Therapy Relieve my Arthritis Pain? Arthritic joints typically lose their normal levels of function and strength, due to the chronic inflammation they are experiencing. However, one of the primary goals of physical therapy is to regain as much function as possible in the affected area(s) of the body. By restoring normal joint movement and improving muscle strength, the amount of excessive pressure on the joint can be relieved. Reducing the pressure on the affected joint decreases inflammation and helps relieve pain by improving mobility. When you arrive for your initial consultation at OrthoSports PT, you’ll be greeted by one of our licensed and dedicated physical therapists. Each of our teammembers is movement experts with years of medical training, equipped in helping patients relieve the stiffness, achiness, and pain associated with arthritis. Your physical therapist will conduct a physical evaluation to analyze your joint in movement, muscle strength, and overall function, in order to pinpoint the exact areas that are causing you pain. You will then be prescribed a personalized treatment plan, focused around your specific needs. Treatment plans will include targeted stretches and exercises aimed at relieving your pain and improving your function, in addition to any specialized methods your physical therapist deems fit. This may include manual therapy, ice and heat therapies, electrical stimulation, or ultrasound. Your physical therapist may also include additional services as needed, such as weight management techniques to help ease some stress on your joints, and/or posture improvement to relieve stiffness and prevent injury. 12 Simple Steps for Relieving Arthritic Pains at Home: Treatment plans for arthritis cases are aimed at relieving pain and decreasing the amount of inflammation, stiffness, and overall stress placed on the joint(s). However, there are also some steps you can take on your own to make sure your daily life is as pain-free as possible: 1. Stretch multiple times a day. 2. Alternate between weight-bearing and non-weight bearing exercises. 3. Use tools that make it easier on your joints, such as large handled can openers and large grips on kitchen tools. 4. Carry grocery bags on your forearms, instead of straining the joints in your fingers.

Re Try this

HIP HINGE / ST Hold stick on back your big toe and li you push your hips Engage your core, Repeat 10 times, th

Visit

Call 716.839.3705 (Amherst) or 716.634.1578 (Clarence) to schedule today!

TH

5. Have commonly-used items within easy reach to avoid squatting, kneeling, or having to reach high overhead. 6. Get up and move often. Don’t sit for more than 30 minutes without getting up for a break. 7. Avoid prolonged kneeling. 8. Maintain proper posture when sitting and standing. 9. Drink plenty of water. 10. Eat nutritious foods. 11. Avoid fried foods, sodas, and other items that increase inflammation in your body. 12. Work with your physical therapist to create a treatment plan and update it with a yearly check-up. If you are living with joint pain, call us today to learn more about our arthritis treatment programs. We recommend a yearly physical therapy check-up to ensure you are performing at your best. Find relief for your arthritic pains today with OrthosportsPT.

1. Edu When expert the k need your o 2. We recom weigh lessen on yo specifi weigh hips a 3. Foo affect and i impro

and strength, due one of the primary sible in the affected improving muscle relieved. Reducing d helps relieve pain you’ll be greeted by our teammembers in helping patients ritis. nalyze your joint in pinpoint the exact ed a personalized t plans will include and improving your therapist deems fit. ctrical stimulation, itional services as se some stress on and prevent injury. e: ain and decreasing ced on the joint(s). own to make sure

Relieve Pain In Minutes Try this exercise to strengthen your core muscles.

HIP HINGE / STICK ON BACK Hold stick on back with 3 points of contact: tailbone, upper back, and head. Keep your big toe and little toe in contact with the ground with knees softly bent as you push your hips back until you feel a stretch in your buttocks and hamstrings. Engage your core, buttocks and hamstring as you come back up to standing. Repeat 10 times, three sets.

Be P

You don’t active in exercise few ideas • Ma or • Try ce • Go • Pa • Yar • Ma Call our to buy a

ng exercises. arge handled can

exercises copyright of

w w w . s i m p l e s e t . n e t

g the joints in your

Visit orthosportspt.com for more information!

hedule today!

6 TIPS TO HELP YOUR ARTHRITIS PAIN

ting, kneeling, or

1. Education and self-management. When your treatment is over, our experts will have equipped you with the knowledge and exercises you need to continue your progress on your own. 2. Weight loss. Maintaining your recommended weight—or losing weight if you are overweight—can lessen your pain by reducing stress on your affected joints. Weight loss specifically helps ease pressure on weight-bearing joints such as the hips and knees. 3. Footwear and insoles. If arthritis affects your knee, special footwear and insoles can reduce pain and improve walking.

4. Knee braces. For osteoarthritis with associated knee instability, a knee brace can reduce pain, improve stability, and reduce the risk of falling. 5. Heat and cold. Many people find the heat of a warm bath, heat pack, or paraffin bath eases arthritis pain. Others find relief in cold packs. Still, others prefer alternating the two. 6. Exercise. Exercise has been proven to help reduce arthritis pain while increasing strength and function. Knowing the right kind of exercises to do, is the key. Talking with our physical therapists and occupational therapists will point you in the right direction.

without getting up

ammation in your

lan and update it

bout our arthritis heck-up to ensure pains today with

s cles.

and head. Keep softly bent as nd hamstrings. up to standing.

Be Physically Active Without Spending a Dime!

You don’t need to spend a fortune to be physically active. In fact, you can be active in many ways without spending any money. You don’t need special exercise equipment other than comfortable walking shoes. Here are a few ideas to help get you moving for free: • Make your own weights from household items such as soup cans or bottles of water. • Try out free demonstration exercise classes at your local senior center or fitness center. • Go for a hike in a park. • Participate in community-sponsored fun runs or walks. • Yardwork such as raking, digging, and planting can keep you active. • Make sure to drink water or juice after exercise. Call our office now at (716) 634-1578 to schedule a demonstration or to buy a package.

!

Follow and review us on social media!

FREE WORKSHOP! Our free workshops will begin again in the near future. More information will be posted on our website and Facebook page

Call us today at (716) 634-1578 or visit our website at orthosportspt.com to learn more about our Free Workshops and how they can help you!

Strength Training & The Importance of Braces Osteoarthritis of the Knee Knee osteoarthritis (knee OA) is a progressive disease caused by inflammation and degeneration of the knee joint that worsens over time. It affects the entire joint, including bone, cartilage, ligaments, and muscles. Muscle strengthening. Strengthening the muscles around your knee will be an essential part of your rehabilitation program. Individuals with knee OA who adhere to strengthening programs have been shown to have less pain and improved overall quality of life. There are several factors that influence the health of a joint: the quality of the cartilage that lines the bones, the tissue within and around the joints, and the associated muscles. Due to the wear and tear on cartilage associated with knee OA, maintaining strength in the muscles near the joint is crucial to preserve joint health. For example, as the muscles along the front and back of your thigh (quadriceps and hamstrings) cross the knee joint, they help control the motion and forces that are applied to the bones. Bracing. Compressive sleeves placed around the knee may help reduce pain and swelling. Devices such as realignment and off-loading braces are used to modify the forces placed on the knee. These braces can help “unload” certain areas of your knee and move contact to less painful areas of the joint during weight-bearing activities. Depending on your symptoms and impairments, your physical therapist will help determine which brace may be best for you.