What is Osteoarthritis?
Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis, affecting 1 in 10 Canadians. This particular type of arthritis compromises movement as it wears away the cartilage that protects the joints. Cartilage is necessary to avoid joint damage because it protects the joints and enables them to move smoothly across one another. As the weakened cartilage loses its shock absorbing abilities, patients begin to experience moderate to severe pain when performing basic activities. Osteoarthritis affects men and women equally, and typically occurs as we age. Heredity, overuse, injury, and excessive weight bearing are all common causes of osteoarthritis.
Symptoms of Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthrit is commonly occurs in the hips, knees, and spine, but it also affects the fingers, thumb, neck, and big toe. You may be experiencing the symptoms of osteoarthritis if you awake with stiff or swollen joints. This stiffness may only last for a few minutes, but it will worsen the more you use the affected joints. As patients experience growing discomfort, they tend to shy away from using their joints. This decreased mobility will cause osteoarthritis to worsen, as the muscles surrounding the inflamed joints weaken.
If you leave your osteoarthritis untreated, you may notice that the affected joints begin, not only to swell temporarily, but also to actually gain mass. The growth of your joints is indicative of your body trying to heal itself. Your osteoarthritis may continue to progress until the cartilage surrounding your joints is completely gone. The growth of the hardened joint bones and the lack of surrounding cartilage will severely limit your ability to use your joints and your mobility.
How to treat Osteoarthritis?
Physical therapy, on-land or in the water, helps to alleviate the affects of osteoarthritis and prevent it from progressing. While there is no cure for osteoarthritis, physiotherapy and hydrotherapy are proven to provide a variety of benefits that counteract the immobilizing symptoms of this condition. Get the custom therapy that you need to mitigate your osteoarthritis at Aquafit Physiotherapy Clinic in London, Ontario.
While treating osteoarthritis, our physiotherapists aim to relieve your symptoms and to help you avoid major damage to your affected joints. At Aquafit Physiotherapy Clinic, our exercise programs incorporate resistance training, which is an effective treatment for patients suffering with osteoarthritis. Our custom therapy programs build muscle around the affected joints and reduce inflammation. Our exercise plans will make you stronger and give you a fuller range of motion.
Hydrotherapy for Osteoarthritis
Aquafit Physiotherapy Clinic leverages hydrotherapy pools to facilitate the physical therapy of patients who need to avoid high-impact exercise. Hydrotherapy improves patients’ cardiovascular fitness, as it allows them to train at an increased intensity without the impact of on-land training. This warm, buoyant environment is perfect for patients who are nervous about potentially painful workout regimes. Reduce swelling and protect your mobility without the stress of pain that you may associate with physical therapy.
Why Visit Aquafit?
Patients need to seek the help of a professional physiotherapist so they do not fall victim to muscle atrophy, which may occur if discomfort prevents patients from reactivating their swollen joints. Do not compound your joint pain with weakened muscles, as this may expose you to slips and falls that will further compromise your mobility. Instead, get the physical therapy that you need to increase the likelihood and length of time that you will be able to remain independent. Our physiotherapists will ensure that you receive the custom care that you need to reactive and protect your joints.
From massages to heat therapy, we supplement your exercise routine with a variety of innovative tactics to facilitate healing. Get professional care from compassionate physical therapists that will customize a comprehensive therapy plan that addresses all of your wellness needs.