If you've been diagnosed with osteoarthritis and you're looking for new treatment options, talk to your doctor about physiotherapy. You might not realise this, but routine treatment from a physiotherapy clinic can provide you with a variety of benefits, especially where osteoarthritis is concerned. Many people with osteoarthritis utilise prescription medication as their main treatment option. However, adding physiotherapy to your treatment plan can provide you with enhanced relief. Here are just four of the reasons to talk to your doctor about adding physiotherapy to your osteoarthritis treatment plan.
Preserve Your Range of Motion
If you have osteoarthritis, you may notice that your range of motion has deteriorated. You might not know this, but diminished range of motion is one of the many symptoms associated with osteoarthritis. Unfortunately, diminished range of motion can prevent you from doing simple things such as lifting yourself out of a chair. Physiotherapy can help you preserve the range of motion you still have, and prevent you from losing more of it.
Stabilise Your Weakened Joints
If you've been diagnosed with osteoarthritis, you can expect to lose some strength in your joints. Unfortunately, loss of strength in your knees and hips can increase your risk for injuries associated with falls. That's where physiotherapy comes into the picture. Physiotherapy provides you with the low-impact exercise you need to keep your joints strong. As an added benefit, physiotherapy can also help to strengthen muscles, which can work to stabilise your affected joints.
Reduce Issues With Balance
If you're dealing with osteoarthritis, you may start to lose your balance. This can happen for several reasons. First, joint pain can cause you to lose your balance, especially when your hips and knees are involved. Second, lack of mobility due to osteoarthritis can cause you to lose your balance. Finally, muscle weakness associated with osteoarthritis can interfere with proper balance. Physiotherapy can help to reduce the effects and restore your sense of balance.
Utilise Multiple Treatments
Finally, if you're looking for relief from osteoarthritis, it's time to add physiotherapy to your treatment plan. You might not realise this, but there are a number of treatment options that are available through physiotherapy. Some of those options include acupuncture, ultrasound and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, or TENS. These treatments can be used in conjunction with your other treatment options, including prescription pain medication.
Don't let osteoarthritis keep you from enjoying your life. Talk to your doctor about the benefits of physiotherapy. Contact a local physiotherapy clinic for more information.
Share