Do you struggle with painful joints because of arthritis?
If so, you may be inclined to limit your movement because of the discomfort you experience. While avoiding pain seems intuitive, when it comes to arthritis, you must keep those joints moving.
So where do you begin? Consider starting with Pilates-based physical therapy for arthritis.
What Exactly Is Arthritis?
Arthritis comes from the Greek words for joint (arthron) and inflammation (itis). And that’s what it is – inflammation of the joints that causes pain, stiffness, and limited mobility.
In total, the body has 143 joints. And different joints move in different ways. Our knees and elbows are hinge joints. They open and close like a door. Thumbs are saddle joints where a rounded bone fits into a concave bone. This sort of joint moves up and down, and side to side. It cannot fully rotate though. Then there are the ball-and-socket joints in our hips and shoulders. These joints allow the hips and shoulders to move up, down, side to side, and rotate. There are also some joints in the body that have limited or even no movement.
It is the highly mobile joints, of course, that are most prone to arthritis.
Different Types of Arthritis
Just as there are different types of joints, there are different forms of arthritis. We’ll look at the main two types here.
First, the most common type is osteoarthritis. This accounts for more than 85% of arthritis cases, with 32 million people in the United States living with it. With osteoarthritis, the cartilage cushioning the ends of the bones deteriorates, causing bone to rub against bone. It’s a painful degenerative disease that causes pain with each movement of the joint. It most often occurs in the hands, knees, back, and hips.
The second most common kind of arthritis is rheumatoid arthritis. Unlike osteoarthritis, which is often a part of getting older, rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease. Rheumatoid arthritis causes the lining of the joints to become inflamed. Rather than from the wear and tear of age, it’s this inflammation that breaks down the cartilage cushion, resulting in damage to the bones and surrounding tissues. Joints can become very swollen, unstable, and eventually deformed.
In all cases of arthritis, inflammation causes pain and stiffness that can make it difficult to perform even the simplest movements. Yet, as stated earlier, movement is important.
Pilates-Based Physical Therapy for Arthritis
Research bears out that exercise is an essential tool in managing arthritis pain. Movement that builds muscle around the joints increases stability to reduce joint pain and stiffness. Exercise also lubricates the joints, builds cartilage, and improves overall health.
Yet, when you suffer from arthritis, movement can be painful. And this can be discouraging. That’s why it’s crucial to learn how to sit, stand, bend, and lift in ways that minimize stress on your joints. It’s also critical to avoid activities that cause jarring movements to your joints.
The exercises and movements of Pilates fit the bill. Pilates emphasizes core stability to aid with balance and spinal flexibility. It also helps to maintain or even improve the range of motion of the joints.
Even so, you may have too much pain and/or not feel confident about taking a class. This is where Pilates-based physical therapy comes in. Pilates-based physical therapy is particularly good for arthritis because you work with a specially trained PT who can tailor a movement plan that meets your individual needs.
For example, when the joints are very inflamed, your PT can show you isometric exercises that enable you to contract a muscle without moving the painful joint. On other occasions, he or she may recommend certain isotonic exercises (using both muscles and joints) to safely move your body through its full range of motion and build strength.
Working with a Pilates-based physical therapist allows you to perform specific exercises on a mat and on specially designed equipment such as the Reformer, the Tower, and the Cadillac. All of these use resistance springs to strengthen both large and small muscles to help support the joints and encourage more efficient movement.
And all of it this is done in a balanced and safe way.
Are You Ready to Get Relief from Arthritis Pain?
While there is no cure for arthritis, you can manage your pain and build strength with Pilates or Pilates-based physical therapy for arthritis.
If you live in southeastern Michigan, you’re fortunate to have access to an excellent Pilates studio in Southfield that also offers Pilates-based physical therapy.
So whether you’re looking for classes, physical therapy, or both, contact us today to get started. We look forward to hearing from you.