Arthritis is a general medical term. It’s a collective name for more than 100 types of inflammatory joint diseases. It’s not only characteristic of old age. Two-thirds of arthritis patients are under 65.
What is Arthritis?
The word “arthritis” means inflammation of a joint, whose most characteristic symptoms are pain, joint stiffness and swelling (sometimes swelling is absent). If inflammation is primary, the disease is classified as arthritis. If joint wear is noticed first, osteoarthritis is the more appropriate term.
Arthritis can affect any joint. It is most common in weight-bearing joints such as the hip, ankle or knee. It also occurs in the lower back and neck. Arthritis of the small joints of the hands and feet is called rheumatoid arthritis.
Long-standing arthritis damages the articular cartilage surface. This damage can progress until the cartilage is completely worn away and the bone ends come into direct contact. This wear and tear is called osteoarthritis.
Home Physiotherapy Treatment for Arthritis
The main advantage of physiotherapy treatments is that they are drug-free and therefore have no side effects. The effects are not immediate and are usually felt only after a few sessions. With the exception of ultrasound, treatments can and should be continued until full recovery.
- Heat therapy, such as hydrotherapy in warm water, reduces stiffness and relieves pain. Modern deep-heat therapy devices, which conform to the joint’s shape, warm and relax exactly the area needed.
- Regular but gentle movement is important in arthritis. It boosts natural joint fluid production, strengthens the muscles supporting the joint, and thus relieves the joint itself.
- Joint stability is provided by the surrounding muscles. Strengthening these muscles with a muscle stimulator is most effective.
- Therapeutic ultrasound helps reduce inflammation and pain, but after 10–15 sessions a break of several months is required, so it cannot be used continuously for months.
- Low-level laser therapy quickly reduces pain and stimulates healing processes. There is no risk of overdose, so it can be used long-term.
- Microcurrent treatments reduce pain and accelerate regeneration.
- Magnetic therapy is primarily used to treat joint complaints due to its pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory effects.
