Arthritis Rehabilitation
Arthritis refers to more than 100 different diseases that cause pain, swelling and limited movement in joints and connective tissue throughout the body. It is usually chronic, meaning that it lasts a lifetime. Specific causes for arthritis are not yet known for most forms of the disease. The disease process also varies depending on the form of arthritis. The most prevalent forms are osteoarthritis (OA), and rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
Nearly 43 million Americans have arthritis or a related condition. These individuals face many challenges as a result of the disease. The good news is that The Arthritis Rehabilitation Program helps individuals meet these challenges and lead a fulfilling life in spite of arthritis. While Arthritis affects people in many different ways, it is very possible that you have joint pain with movement; you also may have joint deformity which may be increased by the forces of normal daily activities. If you're in pain, you're probably not in good physical condition because it hurts when you exercise. It's important that you know what you can do to maintain your aerobic health, minimize deformity, and maximize your function.
The goal in treating arthritis rehabilitation patients is to help each patient reach his or her fullest physical, social, vocational and emotional potential within the limitations imposed by the disease. The rehabilitation team will develop individual patient programs that increase function and general conditioning, while not harming the joints. If necessary the team will help work on specific tasks such as walking or climbing stairs. Finally, the team will work on stretching tight joints and muscles or incorporate pain control modalities such as heat, ultrasound, electrical stimulation and aqua-therapy as needed. Patients will be involved in therapy 1 to 5 days per week with Physical Therapists, Exercise Physiologists, and Nutrition Counselors. Your referring physician will determine duration of treatment.
