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How Can Physical Therapy Relieve Arthritis Symptoms & Restore Mobility?

by | Oct 9, 2024 | News

Is joint pain slowing you down? If so, then you might need a physical therapist to help you relieve arthritis.
If you’re over 40 and dealing with the frustration of daily discomfort in your knees, back, shoulders, or hips, you might be wondering if arthritis is the cause.

Hearing that word—arthritis—can feel overwhelming, almost like it’s a permanent sentence. But the truth is, arthritis doesn’t have to define your life or keep you from doing the things you love.

Debunking Common Myths About Arthritis

Contrary to popular belief, arthritis isn’t always a sign of irreversible joint damage or a lifetime of suffering. It’s simply a term used to describe changes in the joints as we age. These changes, which include reduced joint space, joint swelling, and cartilage changes, can often be seen in X-rays or MRIs, but they don’t always lead to pain.

In fact, many people in their 30s and 40s show signs of arthritis without experiencing any pain or stiffness. So while it’s true that arthritis is common, it doesn’t have to control your life or limit your mobility.

Types of Arthritis: Osteoarthritis vs. Rheumatoid Arthritis

There are several types of arthritis, but the most common are:

  • Osteoarthritis: Caused by wear and tear on the joints, it’s often found in the knees, hips, and hands.
  • Rheumatoid arthritis: An autoimmune disease that causes inflammation, often affecting the small joints of the hands and feet.

Understanding the differences between these types helps your physical therapist at PRO Therapy create a personalized plan to help you relieve arthritis.

Arthritis is Like Wrinkles on the Inside

Think of arthritis as “wrinkles” on the inside of your body. Just like skin wrinkles, we all develop them as we age. Arthritis doesn’t mean your joints are broken—it’s a natural part of getting older, and it doesn’t have to limit your lifestyle.

In fact, if you’re over 50 and an X-ray shows no arthritic changes, you’re the exception, not the rule! The truth is, arthritic changes do not automatically mean pain or loss of mobility.

What If I Have Pain and My X-Ray Shows Arthritis?

If your X-ray shows arthritis and you’re experiencing pain, remember that arthritis is only one piece of the puzzle. Many people with the same X-ray findings don’t experience any discomfort at all. That’s why, at PRO Therapy, we assess more than just the arthritis.

We look at your joint mobility, the strength of the muscles around your joints, and your overall health. Often, pain stems from a combination of these factors, not just the arthritic changes.

How Physical Therapy Can Relieve Arthritis Symptoms

At PRO Therapy, we believe that arthritis doesn’t have to limit your quality of life. Our team of Doctors of Physical Therapy can help you relieve arthritis symptoms through:

  • Pain management: Targeted exercises and techniques to relieve arthritis.
  • Improved mobility: Enhancing joint flexibility and range of motion to prevent stiffness.
  • Strengthening muscles: Building support for affected joints to reduce stress and improve stability.
  • Education: Guiding you on self-management strategies, lifestyle modifications, and assistive devices.

Real results: “After just six weeks of physical therapy at PRO Therapy, my knee pain from arthritis reduced so much that I’m back to walking daily without discomfort!” – Sarah, 52

By addressing these factors, physical therapy can help you:

  • Reduce pain
  • Improve mobility
  • Increase strength
  • Delay or avoid joint replacement surgery

Don’t Let Arthritis Control Your Life

Take back control of your life today and reclaim the freedom to move without pain. Whether it’s keeping up with your kids, going for a walk with your partner, or simply getting out of bed without stiffness, we’re here to help you achieve your goals. You deserve to live pain-free.

Call us at 612-662-0217 or fill out our quick form to schedule your consultation. We’ll work with you to create a personalized plan to reduce pain, improve mobility, and prevent future issues. Don’t wait—every day you spend in pain is a day too long. Let’s start your journey to pain-free living now.

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Read our reviews from other people like you who came to see the physical therapy team – and left much healthier and happier.
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PRO Therapy
Based on 324 reviews
Mark N.
I've had PT in many locations from many different providers. ProTherapy is the most upbeat group of EXPERT DPTs that will motivate, guide, and support you as you regain strength, flexibility or wherever you may be on your journey to greater health. And they are FUN!!
ProTherapy has been a great partner for me through back and knee rehab along with pre- and post- hip replacement care. ProTherapy rocks!

Dr. Lily is my PT hero! It's hard to say goodbye after so many issues addressed. But time to head out on my own knowing that ProTherapy will be there for me should I need them again.

Thanks again to my ProTherapy PT family!
Darlyne J
Thank you, Pro Therapy, for excellent service and guidance for my left hip injuries. What a difference I am experiencing after dry needling, the targeted exercises, and lately the fantastic Stem Wave therapy. Special shout-out to Dr. Lilly.
Emma H.
PRO Therapy is the absolute BEST. I had shoulder pain/arm tingling/arm numbness in my left arm and was able to make everything go away within 4 weeks! The staff is incredibly friendly. I worked with Dr. Lily, who was PHENOMINAL. She was very caring and attentive to my questions and concerns. If I ever need physical therapy help again, I will be going back! Highly recommend!
Jacob H.
I worked with Dr Kelvyn on my ankle and he was excellent. Very attentive and good at changing/adding exercises as needed. He went above and beyond by adjusting my exercises to my desired activities. Extremely positive experience overall.
Alessia C.
I worked with Dr. Lily from January to July following a bad car accident and I can't recommend her enough!! From day one, she was incredibly friendly, supportive, and truly listened to what I was going through. She customized a workout and recovery plan that evolved with me every step of the way, making sure it suited my needs and progress.

She also introduced me to cupping and dry needling, both of which were completely new to me, and was extremely patient and reassuring, especially knowing I was nervous about needles. Thanks to her care and dedication, I’ve seen some improvement in my back, neck, and legs.

If you’re looking for someone who’s highly skilled, compassionate, and genuinely committed to helping you heal, Dr. Lily is the one to see! 🙂 Thank you!!
MaryAnn S
I have been a client of PRO Therapy since 2019 and each time I have received the best of care from the doctors I have seen. Every team member here cares about the individual and the best approach to healing. I try to deal with my pain issues with out drugs as much as possible and the care I receive from the therapists at PRO Therapy is the best. I highly recommend their services. Most recently I injured my right shoulder and arm from pulling weeds and waited too long to address the pain and limitations I was experiencing. The Stemwave non-invasive medical treatment that I have received in the past 3 weeks along with PT from one of the doctors has brought tremendous relief and is allowing me to get back to normal day to day activities. If you are looking for a clinic that treats you with respect and care as well as addressing your pain issues, don’t go any where else, PRO Therapy is your place!
Lindsay G.
My experience with Pro Therapy, and Dr. Lily Anderson was awesome. I had let my injury get to the point where it was disruptive not only to my training but daily life. Dr. Lily helped me set goals for each week, and I started to see improvement weekly! Now I have the tools and knowledge to maintain my recovery. So grateful for Dr. Lily and Pro Therapy.
Makenna S.
Dr. Lily was incredibly helpful in diagnosing and treating my knee pain! She was always so receptive to my feedback and incredibly accommodating to wherever I was at in my rehab journey. Her exercises and guidance have me pain-free after just a couple months, cannot recommend highly enough!
Sam H.
Lovely PTs! Easy to talk to professionals who know what they are doing and how to best help you. Scheduling appointments are very simple and they always send a reminder text the day before your appointment. Highly recommend!
N
Outstanding experience working with Dr Salfer and the Pro Therapy team. Helped me overcome a longstanding injury that blocked me from running. Am back to regular 5Ks for the first time in almost a decade and feel fantastic! Dr Salfer is great at what she does and is super patient to answer questions and provide instructions on how to do exercises. Front desk team also couldn’t be nicer. Thank you!