Arthritis Therapy
Arthritist Therapy at St. Francis guides the patient with help for making everyday
tasks easier while living with arthritis.
Arthritis Therapy Includes:
- Range of motion and strengthening
- Heat therapy
- Custom splinting
- Joint protection/preservation
- Self-help aids/daily living equipment
Arthritis Facts
- Arthritis can make it hard to do daily tasks. It causes pain, swelling and changes
in the joints that limit movement.
- Arthritis can come on slowly or suddenly. Once you have arthritis, it usually
lasts all of your life. However, many things can be done to help reduce pain,
increase movement and keep you active.
- There are more than 100 different types of arthritis. Each type of arthritis
has different symptoms and treatments. Your doctor can tell you what kind you
have based on your symptoms and a physical exam.
- Your doctor may prescribe therapy, including exercise and heat treatments that
help reduce pain and restore joint function by increasing range of motion and
by strengthening surrounding muscles.
- Many things work to help control arthritis. It is important that your treatment begins early. You and your doctor can work together to find the best treatment for you.
Protect Your Joints
- Respect pain. Time or effort spent on an activity should be reduced if pain occurs and lasts for more than 1 hour after stopping an activity.
- Use of heat on joints or muscles may give short-term relief from pain and stiffness and help prepare you for exercise or activity.
- Avoid sustained or stressful positions.
- Use the strongest/largest joints available for the job.
- Use good body mechanics and positioning.
- Use self-help aids to make everyday tasks easier.
- Remember to rest frequently. It is easier to prevent fatigue than to recover from fatigue and soreness.
Warning Signs of Arthritis
- Pain
- Swelling
- Stiffness
- Problems moving one or more joints
If you have any of these signs in or around a joint for more than two weeks,
it is time to see your doctor.