PTII-Don't Let Arthritis Pain Slow You Down

PTII-Don't Let Arthritis Pain Slow You Down

Health&Wellness The Newsletter About Your Health And Caring For Your Body

Does Arthritis Stop You In Your Tracks? Get Moving Again With PTII!

Are you one of the millions of Americans suffering from arthritis pain? Arthritis most often affects the neck, back, hands, hips and knees. As we get older, the wear and tear on our joints breaks down the cartilage. Instead of a smooth surface, the cartilage becomes worn down in spots, leading to thinned areas and even bone on bone. The inflammation caused by this is what drives Arthritis pain. At PTII we can relieve your pain and get you moving again!

Al Flores, PT, CFCE Director of Rehab

Health & Wellness The Newsletter About Your Health And Caring For Your Body

“I Don’t Let Arthritis Slow Me Down!”

The pain of arthritis is actually caused by inflammation that builds up irritating the surrounding tissues and muscles, or in severe cases nerve endings on exposed bone. Whether you experience arthritis in your knees, low back, shoulders or neck, if your joints don’t move like they use to, this causes further rubbing and increased pain.

The Keys to Relieving

Your Arthritis Pain When a joint becomes arthritic, it loses it’s normal motion and strength from surrounding muscles. By restoring normal joint movement and improving muscle strength, the amount of excessive pressure on the joint canbe relieved. In turn, the reduced pressureminimizes inflammation caused by the excessive rubbing, thus relieving pain and improving mobility. Our physical therapists have years of medical training in helping people relieve the stiffness, achiness and pain associated with arthritis. Our experts analyze your joint movement, muscle strength and overall function. We then pinpoint the exact areas that are causing the pain and improve your pain-free mobility. Call us today to learn more about our arthritis program and how you can enjoy a pain-free life!

Did You Know?... “Like your muscles, your bones get stronger when you make them work. Weight-bearing and resistance exercises are important for building bones and keeping them strong. ”

- National Osteoporosis Foundation

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1. Stretch multiple times a day. 2. Alternate your exercises doing weight bearing and non-weight bearing exercises. 3. Use tools that make it easier on your joints. For example large handled can openers, large grips on kitchen tools. 4. Carry grocery bags on your forearms, instead of straining the joints in your fingers. 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. Have good 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 our physical therapists to create a treatment plan and update it with a yearly checkup. If your joints are bothering you, call us today to learn more about our arthritis programs. As your physical therapists, we encourage you to follow up with us for a yearly checkup and to ensure you are feeling your best. 12 Things You Can Do to Improve Your Life with Arthritis

Stretch Daily

Eat Nutritious Foods

Come Back In For A Consultation Whether you want to come in for a check-up, suffered a recent injury or you want to improve your health, you can choose the physical therapy practice you want! Come back to PTII for a consultation today!

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See our physical therapists for: • Recent injury • Nagging aches and pains • Back and neck pain • Joint pain and movement problems • Walking or balance difficulties

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Patient Spotlight

Exercise Essential

CLAM SHELLS While lying on your side with your knees bent, draw up the top knee while keeping contact of your feet together. Do not let your pelvis roll back during the lifting movement.

Helps With Arthritis

TIME IS RUNNINGOUT! Have you met your annual insurance deductible? If you have, your therapy may be free. How do you check to see if your deductible has been met? You can call your insurance and ask them or you can call us and we will gladly check your benefits for you.

I lovebeingat PTII! “Big 10 for Ken and everyone at PTII! I loved being at PTII. If not for Ken, I would not been able to straighten out my knee! I hope I don’t need to come back, but if I do, it will be in PTII!” - M.H.

Relieve arthritis pain in joints with healthy food choices:

1. Broccoli, Brussels sprouts and cabbage. These veggies are part of the cruciferous family, and they are full of a compound called sulforaphane, which helps slow cartilage damage in joints due to osteoarthritis. Try adding broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, kale or cauliflower to your salad or stir-fry. 2. Fatty fish. Fatty fish like salmon, tuna, trout and mackerel are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which help fight inflammation. Try adding fish to your diet a couple of times a week. If you’re not a big fan of fish, ask your doctor about taking an omega-3 supplement. 3. Garlic. Garlic is a member of the allium family—which also includes onions and leeks. These items contain a compound called diallyl disulfide that may help with a number of diseases—including arthritis.

4. Tart cherries. Some people with arthritis have found relief from products made from tart cherries. The ingredient in cherries that helps with joint symptoms is the same one that gives this fruit its red color—anthocyanin. 5. Turmeric. One of the best-researched inflammation fighters isn’t a food at all, but a spice. Tumeric contains a compound called curcumin. The compound has been used for centuries in India to ward off inflammatory diseases. You’ll find this yellow spice in Indian cuisines—particularly curries. 6. Vitamin C. Antioxidants in vitamin C may slow the progression of OA. You can get vitamin C from strawberries, kiwi, pineapple, or cantaloupe. However, we warn you against taking supplements with much higher doses than 65 to 85 milligrams, because in large doses vitamin C can increase the risk of kidney stones.