Physiotherapy for Rheumatoid Arthritis – 4 Helpful Tips to Survive and Thrive

According to the Canadian Arthritis Society, 1 out of 5 Canadians are living with Arthritis. As many as many as 25,000 Canadian children and adolescents seek healthcare for arthritis every year. Nearly 60% of people with arthritis are women. Over half of people with arthritis are under age 65, while nearly 1 in 2 seniors over 65 have arthritis. According to the Canadian Arthritis Society, the prevalence of Arthritis is on the rise at such a rate that by 2040. 50% more people will have Arthritis.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic, systemic autoimmune disease. It is characterized by inflammation of the joints, which can lead to joint damage, pain, swelling, and stiffness. Physiotherapy plays a significant role in the management and treatment of RA. Read further for 4 tips on how physiotherapy for rheumatoid arthritis can be of great help for individuals suffering through this condition:

1. Pain Management:

Physiotherapy offers a multifaceted approach to pain management for individuals with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Essential modalities include heat and cold therapy, which respectively relax tissues and reduce inflammation. Electrotherapeutic interventions, such as Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) and ultrasound, can interrupt pain signals and increase blood flow, further alleviating discomfort. Manual therapy, encompassing joint mobilizations and soft tissue massage, provides relief from joint stiffness. Incorporating exercises, especially those tailored to strength-building and flexibility, are pivotal; they reduce joint strain and increase circulation, addressing pain at its core. Hydrotherapy offers a unique environment where the buoyancy of water eases weight-bearing load, allowing for pain-reduced exercise. Finally, an integral aspect of physiotherapy is patient education on joint protection and energy conservation techniques. These tools and teachings empower RA patients to navigate daily tasks with minimized pain and optimized joint health.

2. Joint Mobility & Strengthening:

Physiotherapy plays a pivotal role in joint health and mobility enhancement for individuals with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). By employing a combination of targeted exercises, patients can strengthen the muscles surrounding their affected joints, providing improved stability and support. Range-of-motion exercises are specifically designed to combat joint stiffness, a common RA symptom, and promote greater flexibility. Hydrotherapy, conducted in water, uniquely supports individuals by reducing weight-bearing stresses, allowing for improved joint mobility and strengthening in a low-impact environment. Furthermore, manual therapy techniques, such as gentle joint mobilizations, can help maintain and even enhance joint movement. Through consistent, tailored physiotherapy interventions, RA patients can fortify their joint resilience, mitigate pain, and improve their overall functional capacity.

3. Education & Self-management:

For individuals with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), physiotherapy extends beyond physical interventions, serving patients through education and self-management. Physiotherapists equip patients with a comprehensive understanding of RA, shedding light on its progression, potential triggers, and the significance of early symptom detection. This knowledge enables individuals to make informed decisions about daily activities, ensuring joint protection and energy conservation. Techniques such as pacing, appropriate rest intervals, and the use of assistive devices are introduced. This empowers patients to navigate daily challenges while minimizing joint strain. Through regular guidance and feedback, patients learn to recognize and respond to their body’s signals, balancing activity with rest and optimizing joint health. In essence, physiotherapy cultivates a proactive mindset in RA patients, fostering independence and enhancing quality of life through informed self-management.

4. Functional Training:

Functional training by physiotherapy for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients, emphasizes the mastery of day-to-day tasks while minimizing joint strain and pain. Recognizing the unique challenges posed by RA, physiotherapists tailor exercises and strategies to mimic real-life activities, from gripping objects and lifting weights to climbing stairs and maintaining balance. The goal is to ensure that patients can execute essential tasks with greater ease, safety, and confidence. Additionally, adaptive techniques may be introduced, teaching patients how to leverage larger joints over smaller ones or optimize body mechanics for efficient movement. Often, this training is complemented by the recommendation of assistive devices. This ensures activities like writing or opening jars become less taxing on the joints. Through functional training, RA patients are better equipped to navigate daily life, enhancing their autonomy and overall well-being.

Immediate Help through Physiotherapy for Rheumatoid Arthritis:

Have you been suffering through conditions relating to Rheumatoid Arthritis? Click below to book an appointment with one of our expert physiotherapists to let us immediately start assisting you in your road to recovery.

Physiotherapy Clinic Mississauga – Curezone Physiotherapy, Heartland Mississauga

Physiotherapy Clinic Oakville – Curezone Physiotherapy, Burloak Oakville

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