For most of us, performing regular activities like climbing steps, walking or running is something habitual. We don’t need to give extra effort to any of them.
However, if you’re living with arthritis, these everyday activities seem to be daunting. Studies showed that arthritis is the leading cause of disability among adults in Canada, affecting more than 4.6 million Canadians.
Arthritis is a common health issue that caused inflammation of the joints. Usually, rheumatoid arthritis (RA) affects smaller joints such as in your hands, knees and feet.
Arthritis causes severe pain and swelling around the joints. Left unchecked, it may lead to permanent joint damage.
Arthritis is the leading cause of disability in Canada, affecting more than 4.6 million Canadians.
Common Symptoms of Arthritis
Since your knees carry most of your body weight, these are the most common target for arthritis. Some of the most common symptoms of arthritis are:
- Extreme joint pain
- Tenderness and swelling of joints
- Joint stiffness
- Limitations in joint mobility
Arthritis symptoms can be mild, moderate or severe. The pain caused by arthritis can eventually become chronic. As a result, patients often face difficulties to perform daily activities like walking, running or climbing stairs.
For severe cases, arthritis also causes permanent damage to the joints. While some damages are physically apparent, others are only visible through X-ray.
Apart from these joint pains and damages, arthritis can also affect some vital organs such as lungs, kidneys, hearts, skin and eyes.
Symptoms of arthritis may vary from mild to severe and causes several effects such as movement difficulties, joint pain and stiffness, etc.
Does Medicine Only Help To Reduce Arthritis Pain?
The truth is arthritis treatments are a multidimensional approach. Hence, the treatment should be focused on managing pain, increasing joint mobility and strength.
At the same time, we need a comprehensive plan to limit the further progression of this disease.
Once someone is diagnosed with arthritis, you may visit a rheumatologist or orthopedist, based on the type of arthritis you have.
Similarly, medications used for its treatment may vary depending on the arthritis type.
Some of the common medications are:
- Painkillers
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
- Counterirritants – varieties of creams and ointments
Doctors often prescribe painkillers and other ant-inflammatory medicines based on the type and severity of arthritis.
Side Effects of Arthritis Medicines
Numerous medicines can be prescribed for arthritis, and most of them may cause side effects and risks.
We cannot ignore the fact that the reactions of each drug may vary from person to person.
It’s always strictly recommended not to do self-medication. Before taking any medications for arthritis, you should consult a doctor (Orthopaedics/ General physician) and have only the medicines prescribed by him/her.
Your doctor can also suggest ways of minimizing the side effects of arthritis medicines along with dosages and timing.
Like other drugs, arthritis medications may bring some side effects or risks, depending on the condition of the patients. Self-medication should always be avoided.
How Can Physiotherapy Be An Alternative Way for Arthritis Treatment?
For those who are tired of taking painkillers consistently to manage their arthritis pain or the drugs are simply not helping to reduce pain, physiotherapy can be an effective alternative.
Arthritis physiotherapy treatment can help manipulate affected joints to improve their mobility. This way, physiotherapy helps them to become more active.
Professional physiotherapists usually teach necessary skills to reduce chronic pain and its triggers altogether.
Sometimes, it has been noticed that non-invasive physiotherapy techniques were more effective than pain medications for some patients.
Physical therapy is also effective for arthritis as it helps to reduce pain and stiffness within the joints and enhance mobility.
As a result, patients benefit by eliminating the need for medications to some extent and, hence, their adverse side effects.
Physiotherapy is a commonly recommended treatment for arthritis as it is proven to strengthen weakened joints and reduce joint pain and inflammation.
When Should You Consider Physiotherapy for Arthritis?
If you ever face issues in performing your daily activities, you may consider visiting a physiotherapist.
Similarly, after taking medications for a long time, if you find these are not working effectively as they used to do earlier, you should try thinking about physiotherapy – an alternative way for arthritis treatment.
However, it is advisable to consult with your general physician before visiting any physiotherapy clinic in Calgary.
For effective arthritis physiotherapy treatment, you should be prepared to undergo several sessions to achieve optimal pain management.
Final Thought
The solution for managing arthritis often includes a combined strategy of different treatments, including medications, physiotherapy, guided exercise, hot and cold therapy and other effective therapy options.
For most patients, these all-inclusive treatment strategies can do wonders as arthritis remedies for joint pain.
If you are looking for a reliable and WCB Approved physiotherapy clinic in Calgary for your arthritis problem, you may also ask your general physician or orthopedic for a recommendation.
Try to choose a renowned physiotherapy clinic such as Prompt Physiotherapy. Here professional therapists will diagnose the stage of your arthritis and accordingly plan your personalized treatment strategy.
