Why you should be treating arthritis pain without meds

Knees. Spine. Hips. Ankles. Hands. These are just a few of the places where people commonly develop arthritis. 

Arthritis is a catchall term used to describe more than 100 different kinds of joint pain and joint disease. It’s also a very common condition in the U.S; in fact, it’s estimated that 67 million Americans will be living with some type of arthritis by 2025. Arthritis is often treated with medications, but these medications can cause some nasty side effects. As a result, arthritis patients should consider working with a physical therapist to treat arthritis pain without meds. 

Why does arthritis cause you pain? 

Pain is one of the most common symptoms of arthritis. Medical researchers report that 25% of adults with arthritis have severe pain. The root cause of the pain arthritis patients feel is joint inflammation. 

Depending on the type of arthritis you have, joint inflammation can occur for several reasons. Some of the common reasons arthritis patients develop joint inflammation are: 

Why should you look for ways to treat arthritis pain without meds?

There are many types of medication that doctors may prescribe for various types of arthritis. Some of the most common medications used for arthritis include: 

The biggest reason to find options for treating arthritis pain without such meds is the side effects they can cause. Each of the medicines above carry a risk of side effects, and some can be extremely serious. NSAIDs can lead to an increased risk of blood clots, heart attack or stroke. Corticosteroids can contribute to cataracts, cause high blood sugar levels or even contribute to bone loss. Both ARDs and antibiotics can lead to nausea and other stomach issues. In addition, ARDs can cause liver problems and an increased risk of infections. 

Find effective physical therapy for arthritis at SSOR

Our SSOR physical therapy team can help you find physical therapy to treat arthritis without relying on meds. We’ll start with a complimentary screening to learn how arthritis is affecting you. Our physical therapists can then construct a personalized therapy plan for you that can help:

  • Control your weight through exercise and diet 
  • Improve posture to reduce stress on your joints
  • Learn therapeutic exercises intended to help increase range of motion in the affected joint(s)
  • Create a schedule for rest and sleep to complement your exercises 
  • Reduce arthritic inflammation and pain

You can even find these benefits without leaving your home for therapy. Our team offers virtual care and at-home therapy sessions designed to allow patients to get effective physical therapy from home. Even better, you can begin using any of our therapy services without a doctor’s referral. 

Are you ready to get our help treating arthritis pain without meds? Contact us today for more information about our available therapy services or to schedule an initial appointment.