Can Physical Therapy Help Arthritis? Absolutely.
As physical therapists serving the Asheville community, one of the most common questions we hear is whether PT can help manage arthritis symptoms. The answer is a resounding yes – physical therapy is an evidence-based, safe approach to managing rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and improving your quality of life.
Whether you’re an active Asheville resident looking to maintain your mountain lifestyle or managing age-related joint changes, physical therapy offers practical solutions tailored to your individual needs.
Understanding Your Treatment Options
Your personalized PT plan will typically combine two types of interventions:
Passive Modalities (therapist-administered treatments):
- Heat and cold therapy: Heat increases blood flow and relaxes muscles, while cold reduces inflammation and swelling
- Manual therapy: Hands-on techniques to reduce muscle tension, improve joint mobility, and enhance circulation
- Aquatic therapy: Warm water exercises that reduce joint stress while allowing you to move more freely – particularly beneficial for RA-related pain
- TENS (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation): Small electrical impulses that can help interrupt pain signals
- Therapeutic ultrasound: Sound waves that may help reduce joint stiffness and improve tissue circulation
Active Treatments (your participation is key):
- Strength training: Building muscle support around affected joints to reduce stress and improve stability
- Flexibility exercises: Gentle stretching to maintain and improve range of motion
- Low-impact aerobic activity: Walking, cycling, or swimming to improve cardiovascular health without excessive joint stress
- Mind-body practices: Yoga and Pilates can enhance both strength and flexibility while promoting body awareness
What to Expect
Your physical therapist will work with you to develop a realistic exercise schedule. A typical program might include 30 minutes of low-impact aerobic activity most days and strength exercises 2-3 times per week. We’ll start gradually and progress based on your response.
Some muscle soreness after beginning a new exercise program is normal. However, if you experience sharp pain, significant joint swelling, or symptoms that persist for several days, contact us or your physician.
Taking the Next Step
Physical therapy can be highly effective for managing chronic pain, reducing joint inflammation, and improving function in people with rheumatoid arthritis.
If you’re in the Asheville area and ready to explore how physical therapy can help you stay active and manage your arthritis, we’d be honored to work with you.
Contact us at 1on1 Physical Therapy today! 828-785-8388
