Consider treating arthritis pain without the meds

While arthritis is commonly believed to be a condition that afflicts the elderly, the reality is that anyone can develop arthritis at any age. 

This condition is also one of the most common issues Americans face. In fact, it’s estimated that more than 63 million Americans will be diagnosed with arthritis in 2020. Often, arthritis is treated with specific medications, but these medications can cause some nasty side effects. So, if you’re looking for a natural treatment for arthritis, consider meeting with a physical therapist.

What is arthritis?

Arthritis is a catchall term used to describe more than 100 different kinds of joint pain and joint disease. However, most arthritis patients who seek physical therapy tend to be dealing with three specific arthritis types: 

• Osteoarthritis — The most common type of arthritis is osteoarthritis. This is caused by a reduction in joint cartilage as it wears away through age or “wear and tear.” This causes bones to rub together, which leads to pain and swelling.
• Inflammatory arthritis — In certain cases, the body’s immune system will attack joint tissues with intense inflammation. Rheumatoid arthritis is one example of this type of condition. Inflammatory arthritis often has a genetic cause, and doctors usually treat it aggressively with drugs. 
• Metabolic arthritis — The most common type of metabolic arthritis is gout, a condition caused by uric acid crystals building up in the joints of the extremities, especially the feet. It’s typically caused by reduced kidney function. 

Why you should want to treat arthritis without medicines

Depending on the type of arthritis that a person has, doctors may prescribe them different types of medicine. Some of the most commonly used arthritis meds include: 

• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
• Corticosteroids
• Antirheumatic drugs
• Antibiotics 

These drugs can reduce symptoms, but they can also lead to adverse side effects. One medical study reported that about 36% of the patients using arthritis meds had experienced adverse side effects. This is why you should strongly consider treating arthritis without meds. A few of the common side effects arthritis meds lead to include: 

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Abdominal pain
• Reduced red blood cell count
• Headaches
• Increased risk of blood clots, heart attack or stroke 
• Cataracts
• High blood sugar levels
• Osteoporosis

Find physical therapy for arthritis at Advent Physical Therapy

Want to know how arthritis physical therapy can help you go without meds? Our team at Advent Physical Therapy can help. Here are some of the ways of working with our physical therapists can help you reduce your need for meds:

• Your physical therapist will work with you to control your weight through exercise and diet. Controlling your weight helps to prevent added stress on weight-bearing joints.
• Posture work will help to reduce stress on your joints.
• Light exercises and stretching will help to increase range of motion in the affected areas.
• Your therapist can also recommend a schedule for rest and sleep to complement your exercises. This helps the body to heal and hopefully reduce arthritic inflammation and pain.

Every treatment regimen is different based on your body’s needs and your particular type of arthritis. The best way to get started with a med-free, physical therapy-based arthritis treatment plan is by contacting our team and scheduling an initial appointment with one of our therapists.