Physical Therapy

When it comes to treating arthritis and orthopedic injury related pain, physical therapy is an excellent addition to any treatment plan, in order to reduce stiffness, discomfort, and strain. Oftentimes, arthritic stiffness stems from our own unwillingness to move the affected part of the body that causes our pain. The problem is that arthritic joints that are left immobile often lead to even greater pain, stiffness, and immobility.

An experienced orthopedic surgeon or physical therapist can advise you on physical therapy exercises that will reduce overall discomfort and stiffness, leading to a higher quality of life and far less stress upon the body. Employing physical therapy to treat arthritis not only impacts the body through joint strengthening exercises, but it also can provide insight on adjusting your daily routine and environment to reduce the stress you experience as a result of arthritis. Overall, the purpose of physical therapy for arthritis pain is to build strength, increase flexibility, and improve range of motion so that you can engage in your daily tasks without debilitating pain.

Physical therapy exercises for arthritis pain address joint flexibility, by using targeted movements that reduce pain when moving from position to position. In addition, muscle strengthening exercises can alleviate some of the weakness at the arthritic site. Other advantages to including physical therapy as part of a comprehensive plan with Encino Orthopedics to alleviate your arthritic pain relief include: learning pain-relieving posture techniques, utilizing proper footwear to relieve arthritic pain, and becoming educated on the benefits of walking aids to reduce arthritic stress and discomfort.

In the San Fernando Valley, Dr. Reisch, Founder and Director of Encino Orthopedics will tailor your physical therapy needs to address your unique symptoms, to delay and/or prevent further loss of joint function, and potentially restore mobility that had been lost.

The types of physical therapy available to reduce arthritis pain vary, but often include strengthening and range of motion exercises, water based exercises, training in walking aid devices, and education on proper body mechanics that reduce the pain caused by arthritis. Whatever your goals are to reduce arthritis pain, physical therapy is an excellent, non-invasive, non-surgical route towards reducing pain in a meaningful capacity and for the long term.