Physical
Therapy
Update!
Did You Know?
• By conservative
estimates, about 54
million adults have
doctor-diagnosed
arthritis.
• Almost 300,000
babies and children
have arthritis or a
rheumatic condition.
Source: www.arthritis.org
Physical Therapy can
serve as an essential
preventative measure as
well as a physical
rehabilitative resource.
Call or stop by our clinic;
our physical therapist can
help you determine if
physical therapy is a
viable option.
821 E. Liberty Street
Suite D
York, SC 29745-2239
(803) 818-5578
PHOENIXrehab.com/York-SC
What is Arthritis?
What is Arthritis? The term itself means joint inflammation. It refers to osteoarthritis and
more than a hundred rheumatic diseases. Most rheumatic diseases are chronic meaning they have
no cure. However, one can usually manage through proper treatment programs of medication and
exercises. Inflammation is a natural response of the body to an injury. In the case of arthritis, it
responds to the joint becoming inflamed. The inflammation itself tends to destroy the joint, which in
turn causes more inflammation. This chronic condition can lead to ankylosing or fusion of the joint
entirely.
For this reason, it is crucial to minimize or eliminate the inflammation and promote ROM
(Range of Motion) throughout the affected joints. Processes of inflammation can be noted by
swelling, redness, and pain to the affected joint. If this condition persists over a long period, one may
note the loss of function through weakness of the muscles and disorder to the ligaments and the joint
function itself. Early intervention can prevent or slow down the autoimmune response of the body
and thus minimize the crippling effect of arthritis. Medical attention is usually or initially started with
medications of the anti-inflammatory variety.
Maintaining ROM and strength will also prevent further damage to the joint and improve
one’s functional ability. Utilize three significant types of exercises: ROM exercises allow the joint to be
moved through its normal motions, thus preventing stiffness and restoring flexibility. St Strengthening
exercises will normalize the function of the muscle throughout its normal ROM, or as close as possible.
There are two general types of strengthening exercises, isometric and isotonic. The isotonic exercise
is a resistive type of exercise throughout the range of the motion. Isometric exercise is a muscle
setting type exercise or an exercise of which while the muscle works, it does not move the joint.
Rounding out the list are endurance exercises. These types of activities include walking, biking, and
swimming type exercises to improve overall fitness and stamina. A combination of these exercises
will allow the arthritic patient to return and maintain as close to the normal functional use of one's
joints as possible.
Generally, people who have arthritis should exercise their joints daily. An inflamed joint
should only be moved through its ROM gently. Warm joints respond better to exercise than cold
joints; therefore, avoiding cold air drafts and dressing warmly, using anti-inflammatory medication
and using synthetic forms of warming joints such as taking a warm shower will benefit the patient
before doing exercises. Exercise in a slow, steady rhythm, and allow time for the muscles to relax
between repetitions of each exercise. When doing the exercise, try to achieve as full of the amount of
ROM as possible. One should not over-exercise or attempt to use too much resistance to build
strength, and one should be aware that depending on the inflammatory process, adjustments to your
exercise program may be necessary. If the inflammatory process is high, use fewer repetitions and
fewer weights. In doing the exercise, keep in mind that one is trying to maximize ROM, strength, and
endurance without causing undue stress that may heighten the inflammatory process. Those of us
who have arthritis should initially contact their physicians to find out what medication and exercises
may be most appropriate for their conditions. Physical therapists are highly trained professionals
who deal with all three aspects of exercises, and they can set up an individual exercise program for
each person. While incurable, one can manage Arthritis.
Types of Exercise that Help Alleviate Arthritis Pain
ROM– Range of Motion Exercises. These exercises allow the joint to be moved through its normal
motions, thus preventing stiffness and restoring flexibility.
STRENGTHENING- Strengthening allows the function of the muscle throughout its normal ROM to
normalize, or as close as possible. There are two general types of strengthening exercises, isometric
and isotonic. The isotonic exercise is a resistive type of exercise throughout the range of the motion.
Isometric exercise is a muscle setting type exercise or an exercise of which while the muscle works, it
does not move the joint.
ENDURANCE- Endurance activities include walking, biking, and swimming type exercises to improve
overall fitness and stamina. Source: Arthritis Foundation PACE Instructors Manual