Research Is Showing More And More How Physical Therapy Can Change The Pain Seniors Experience In A Joint That Is Diagnosed With Arthritis.
Like many seniors his age, George figured he could expect the aches and pains commensurate with his age. Yet, in recent months, he was finding it increasingly different to get out of bed most mornings. George found it virtually impossible to take the stairs up and down from his fourth-floor apartment. As a result, he rarely left his home to visit friends or run errands. Outgoing by nature, he had become a virtual shut-in. His doctor brought up the idea of knee replacement surgery, which George told him he wanted to avoid for as long as possible. He then encouraged him to try physical therapy.
Treating arthritis with physical and occupational therapy is not new. Unfortunately, many seniors do not know this. They either live with the pain, dysfunction and deformity of arthritis or end up having joint replacement surgery, which should be viewed as a last resort. Arthritis is the inflammation of one or more of the joints. The main symptoms are pain and stiffness, which typically worsen with age. The most common types of arthritis are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
What Can Physical Therapy Do For Seniors?
Physical therapy can teach how to avoid improper body mechanics, and improve strength, balance, endurance, and flexibility. It does not treat arthritis per se, but rather focuses on the disease management by reducing pain and improving functional ability. This may include using customized exercises and therapeutic pain modalities (such as electrical stimulation, ultrasound, heat, ice and manual therapy). It is also important to review medications and explore the benefits of assistive devices.
Arthritis sufferers typically have stiff joints, and avoid movements for fear it will increase their pain. And yet, it is by becoming sedentary and using improper body mechanics that pain gets worse. This may mean starting on exercises that will work out the stiffness without further damaging the joint. Seniors may benefit from riding a stationary bike or doing aquatic therapy which puts less pressure on the joints. Exercises are based on an individual’s limitations. Then as tolerance grows, the physical therapist may add weights or work on balance.
How About Occupational Therapy?
With occupational therapy, therapists can teach how to reduce strain on the joints during daily activities. This may mean getting one to use the strongest joints and muscles to reduce the stress on smaller joints. For example, carrying a pocketbook with a shoulder strap rather than by hand. This may include modifying the home to reduce motions that aggravate arthritis, creating splints for inflamed hands or wrists, and recommending assistive devices for such tasks as bathing, dressing, and housekeeping. An example would be placing a shower stool in the tub, adding grab bars around the toilet and shower, or using long-handled shoehorns or sock grippers.
The best way to evaluate areas of the home that can be improved is to obtain an in-home assessment by a Registered Nurse from a quality Home Care company. This complete evaluation will benefit seniors by helping to make the surroundings safer and avoid putting extra stress on weight-bearing joints like the back, hips, knees, and feet.
The take home message is although seniors at times will have arthritis to the point that they may end up having joint replacement, physical therapy is definitely worth a try first. Remember that “You don’t stop moving because you get old. You get old because you stop moving!” (Variation of George Bernard Shaw quote).
For more related information: Arthritis Foundation
