The joints form the connections between your bones and provide support and stability as you move. Joint damage from an injury or disease can hinder your mobility and cause significant pain and discomfort. Joint pain is a common ailment we see at Free Body Physical Therapy.
Our experienced physical therapists are well versed in diagnosing and treating common causes of joint pain. Continue reading to discover more information about the causes of joint pain and tips for keeping your joints in top shape.
What Causes Joint Pain?
Joint pain is an extremely common phenomenon, especially as you age. Most people complain of pain in their knees, shoulders, and hips, but joint pain can affect any part of your body. Numerous conditions can lead to painful joints, including but not limited to the following:
- Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that causes your body to attack its tissues.
- Osteoarthritis is the most prevalent form of arthritis caused by wear and tear.
- Sprains and strains.
- Bursitis occurs when the bursae cushioning your joints become inflamed.
- Gout is a form of arthritis that affects the joint in your big toe.
- Tendinitis is a painful inflammation of the tendon.
Treating Joint Pain
Joint pain can range from irritating to disabling. Even short-term swelling and pain can negatively impact your quality of life. While there may not be a cure for the cause of your joint pain, there are ways to manage your condition and find relief. Our team will thoroughly evaluate your situation to determine the cause of your pain and treat it at the source. Most joint pain treatments aim to reduce inflammation and pain and preserve joint functions. Stiff, painful joints only get worse when you leave them at rest. Physical therapy is a helpful solution to your joint problems.
Our team will prescribe a physical therapy program that works to improve your symptoms and quality of life. Here are some of the goals of physical therapy treatments for joint pain:
- Reduced swelling and pain in the joints.
- Restored range of motion.
- Increased muscle strength.
- Education on maintaining good joint health.
Tips To Prevent Joint Pain
Some of the causes of joint pain and stiffness are beyond your control, but you can take steps to prevent joint pain or delay the onset of pain. Here are some tips for keeping your joints healthy and preventing pain:
- Keep Moving – The golden rule of joint health is to stay in motion. While joint pain and stiffness may have you reluctant to get active, the more you move, the less stiffness you’ll have.
- Weight Loss – Your weight can affect the strain on your hips, knees, and back. Every pound of weight loss takes 4 pounds of pressure off of your knee joints. Free Body Physical Therapy can help you implement an effective routine to help you achieve your weight loss goals.
- Quit Smoking – It’s no secret that smoking can lead to a host of health problems. Smoking increases your chances of developing osteoporosis and can leave you at risk of bone fractures. Quitting smoking can help improve your joint and bone health.
- Try Low Impact Exercise – You can achieve all the benefits of regular exercise with lower impact exercises. Low-impact workouts minimize joint stress. Swimming and walking are great ways to stay active while going easy on your joints.
- Strengthen Muscles – It’s essential to keep the muscles that support your joints as strong as possible. You can improve your muscle strength by doing targeted strengthening exercises. Our team can show you strengthening exercises to increase your joint stability while decreasing pain.
Contact Us
If you live with joint pain or wish to prevent it, Free Body Physical Therapy is here to help! We’ll work with you to keep your joints healthy and improve your longevity. Be sure to contact our team today to schedule your first physical therapy session!