• REQUEST FREE PHONE CONSULT >>
  • SHOP
  • Review Us
AIM Orthopedics AIM Orthopedics AIM Orthopedics
    • Please Select an option below for us to best direct your call

    • New Patient / Inquiries
    • Current Patient
    • Other
  • Call Us(973) 860-0550
  • Review Us
  • SHOP
  • REQUEST FREE PHONE CONSULT >>
  • About
    • Our Practice
    • Our Location
    • Our Team
    • Join Our Team
  • What We Treat
    • Back Pain & Sciatica
    • Neck Pain
    • Headaches
    • Shoulder Pain
    • Hip and Knee Pain
    • Elbow Wrist & Hand Pain
    • Foot and Ankle Pain
    • Balance & Gait Disorders
    • Dizziness & Vertigo
    • Arthritis
    • Chronic Pain
    • Fibromyalgia
    • Motor Vehicle Accident Injuries
    • Neurological Disorders
    • Pre-Surgical Rehab
    • Post-Surgical Rehab
    • Sports Injuries
    • TMJ Dysfunction
    • Work Injuries
    • View More Conditions
  • How We Treat
    • ACL Injury Prevention Program
    • Acupuncture
    • Cupping
    • Electrical Stimulation
    • Ergonomic Training
    • Graston Technique
    • IASTM
    • Joint Mobilization
    • Kinesio Taping
    • Manual Therapy
    • Massage Therapy
    • Myofascial Release
    • Therapeutic Exercise
    • Vestibular Therapy
  • PATIENT INFO
    • Patient Info / Forms
    • Insurance Info
    • Patient Testimonials
    • Refer a Friend
    • FAQs
  • Health Blog
  • Contact
Home » Health Blog » Treating Arthritis Pain Without The Meds

Treating Arthritis Pain Without The Meds

August 20th, 2018
man with arthritis Cedar Grove, NJ Physical Therapy

Arthritis is a catch-all term used to describe more than 100 different kinds of joint pain and joint disease. While arthritis is commonly believed to be a condition that afflicts the elderly, the reality is that it can strike people in early middle age. In fact, elite male athletes are more likely to develop arthritis than the general public. Arthritis medications and pain medicines can cause some nasty side effects. So, if you’re looking for a natural treatment for arthritis, consider meeting with a physical therapist at our office to learn how you can kick the meds and reduce your arthritis symptoms.

What Is Arthritis?

Osteoarthritis: The most common type of arthritis is osteoarthritis. This is caused by a reduction in joint cartilage as it wears away through age or “wear and tear.” This causes bones to rub together, which leads to pain and swelling. Physical therapy can often help to reduce arthritis pain without medication, especially if the arthritis is mild to moderate.

Inflammatory Arthritis: In certain cases, the body’s immune system will attack joint tissues with intense inflammation. Rheumatoid arthritis is one example of this type of condition. Inflammatory arthritis often has a genetic cause, and doctors usually treat it aggressively with drugs. However, depending on the severity of symptoms, physical therapy may be recommended for treatment as well.

Metabolic Arthritis: The most common type of metabolic arthritis is gout, a condition caused by uric acid crystals building up in the joints of the extremities, especially the feet. It’s typically caused by reduced kidney function. Physical therapy can help gout patients restore range of motion in the affected area and even reduce the buildup of the acidic crystals that accumulate in the joints.

Arthritis in Athletes

According to a study published in the American Journal of Sports Medicine, about 30 percent of elite male athletes who engage in contact sports such as football will develop arthritis in the knees and hips. That’s compared to about 19 percent of the general public. The wear and tear on the joints that results from high-contact sports increases the likelihood of developing arthritis. Soccer and handball players were found to be twice as “at risk” of arthritis later in life, and hockey players are three times as likely to develop arthritis.

Arthritis Medications

Depending on the type of arthritis that a person has, doctors may prescribe NSAID pain relievers, corticosteroids, antirheumatic drugs or antibiotics. All of these carry a risk of side effects, and some can be extremely serious. NSAIDs can lead to an increased risk of blood clots, heart attack or stroke. Corticosteroids can contribute to cataracts, cause high blood sugar levels or even contribute to bone loss — which is terrible when you consider that the patient is already dealing with arthritis!

Physical Therapy for Arthritis

The goals when working with a physical therapist for arthritis treatment will include preserving a good range of motion, increasing strength to reduce stress on the joints, and other natural treatment options. Here are some of the benefits of working with our physical therapists:

  • Your physical therapist will work with you to control your weight through exercise and diet. Controlling your weight helps to prevent added stress on weight-bearing joints.
  • Posture work will help to reduce stress on your joints.
  • Light exercises and stretching will help to increase range of motion in the affected areas.
  • Your physical therapist will also recommend a schedule for rest and sleep to complement your exercises. This helps the body to heal and hopefully reduce arthritic inflammation and pain.

Every treatment regimen is different based on your body’s needs and your particular type of arthritis. The best way to get started on a med-free treatment through physical therapy is by calling and scheduling an appointment with one of our therapists at Cedar Grove, NJ center.

Tags: Physical therapy, Physical Therapist, Arthritis

  • Quick Links

    • Patient Info / forms
    • Our Location
    • FAQs
    • View more Conditions
  • Are You Ready To Live Pain-Free?

    REQUEST FREE PHONE CONSULT >>
  • Latest Health Posts

    Bouncing Back from a Sports Injury | Aim Orthopedics

    Read More

    SUBSCRIBE TO OUR HEALTH BLOG

Get the help you deserve for your pain, injury or condition

Imagine the possibilities!

If you weren’t struggling, you would be able to do the things you want to do, like participate in your favorite sport, or take that walk around the park with your dog, or perhaps participate in run that event with your friends.

If something is holding you back, AIM Orthopedics Physical Therapy & Sports Medicine is here to help you do more of what you want.
Call our office right now or request a consult

REQUEST A CONSULT

AIM Orthopedics

LOCATION

44 Main St
Little Falls, NJ 07424

Phone : (973) 860-0550

Fax : (973) 446-2515

Email : info@aimorthopedics.com

OFFICE HOURS

Mondays: 8:00am – 7:00pm
Tuesdays: 8:00am – 7:00pm
Wednesdays: 8:00am – 7:00pm
Thursdays: 8:00am – 7:00pm
Fridays: 8:00am – 6:00pm
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: Closed

What We Treat

  • Back Pain & Sciatica
  • Balance & Gait Disorders
  • Chronic Pain
  • Dizziness & Vertigo
  • Elbow Wrist & Hand Pain
  • Fibromyalgia
  • Foot and Ankle Pain
  • Headaches
  • Hip and Knee Pain
  • Motor Vehicle Accident Injuries
  • Neck Pain
  • Neurological Disorders
  • Post-Surgical Rehab
  • Pre-Surgical Rehab
  • View More Conditions

How We Treat

  • ACL Injury Prevention Program
  • Acupuncture
  • Cupping
  • Electrical Stimulation
  • Ergonomic Training
  • Graston Technique
  • IASTM
  • Joint Mobilization
  • Kinesio Taping
  • Manual Therapy
  • Massage Therapy
  • Myofascial Release

© AIM Orthopedics: Physical Therapy & Sports Medicine 2019 | Sitemap | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | Website by Practice Promotions | Business Center

 

We are Open!

In addition, we are excited to introduce teletherapy and become part of the teletherapy community!

As healthcare technology advances, AIM Orthopedics embraces new development for treatment approaches to address various conditions/diagnosis. Our patients are our number one priority.

At AIM Orthopedics, our rehabilitative programs are designed to meet individual specific needs in restoring physical function.

CLICK HERE to learn more!