Patients in Grand Rapids, MI — get the chronic arthritis treatment you need

Chronic arthritis is part of the natural aging process for millions of people. As we get older, the cartilage that protects our joints and allows for smooth motion begins to become dry and brittle. This breakdown can lead to joint inflammation and the aches, pains and stiffness that are the hallmarks of chronic arthritis.

Although arthritis is not a curable or reversible condition, there are still many effective treatment options, including physical therapy. With multiple clinics in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and the surrounding areas, the team at Advent Physical Therapy is committed to helping patients here find long-term relief and improved mobility. This quick guide can help you better understand your therapeutic options so you can make a more informed decision about your care.

How chronic arthritis is treated

Although it can impair mobility, making many activities difficult, it’s important not to become overly sedentary if you’ve been diagnosed with arthritis. Physical therapy can help with this. By gently stretching the connective tissue around the inflamed joints and performing techniques to strengthen supporting muscles, physical therapy can improve range of motion and take pressure off the joints.

Specific techniques performed by physical therapists include:

• Manual therapy techniques, including joint mobilization
• Therapeutic massage
• Balancing techniques
• Strengthening exercises
• Instruction on improving posture and using walking aids, if needed

When receiving chronic arthritis treatment, it’s important to be patient and expect some trial and error. By being open and communicating with your therapist, you can give yourself a better chance of finding the right combination of treatments for you.

In many cases, physical therapy is just one piece of the treatment puzzle for chronic arthritis. Healthy lifestyle factors like an anti-inflammatory diet, good posture, weight management, regular exercise and other pain management techniques are also critical.

Advent Physical Therapy is here to help

With 13 beautiful clinics throughout west Michigan, including four in Grand Rapids, Advent’s highly trained, motivated and passionate staff has the resources to help you get back to an active lifestyle if chronic arthritis pain has you on the sidelines. Contact us and a member of our team will be glad to help you schedule your initial appointment.