Physiotherapy for Osteoarthritis
Does Physiotherapy Help Osteoarthritis?
Osteoarthritis (OA) can be a very debilitating condition. It is often characterized by joint pain, swelling, weakness around the affected joint, and a lack of flexibility and balance. These impairments may lead to weight gain, reduced mobility and poor quality of life. Here are the ways that physiotherapy can help in treating your osteoarthritis…
What will a Physiotherapist Do For Your Osteoarthritis?
Physiotherapists are trained to treat injuries and diseases that affect the muscles, joints and bones of the body. They know how the joints, tendons, muscles and other associated structures relate to one another and how they function within the body. Physiotherapists understand why the body can become injured and how to train the muscles, bones and joints to function more effectively. OA can affect each individual differently and thus requires an individualized assessment and treatment plan. A physiotherapist will discuss your medical history and perform a thorough physical examination. The physio will assess joint mobility, flexibility, strength, functional strength, pain, swelling as well as functional limitations and disabilities (i.e., unable to climb stairs, unable to run/walk) associated with the condition. With the physiotherapist’s understanding of OA and your specific history, the physio is then able to design the appropriate treatment program for you.
What Are The Benefits Of Physiotherapy For Osteoarthritis?
- Education: your physio will help you understand what OA is and how it is treated
- Exercise advice: giving you the dos and don’ts of exercise and appropriate modifications of daily activities, as well as the role of exercise in weight loss
- Decreased pain, swelling and stiffness: your physio will use various hands-on techniques (e.g., joint mobilizations and manipulations) and modalities (e.g., acupuncture, ultrasound, thermal and electrical units) to decrease your pain and stiffness from OA. Your physio will also give you flexibility exercises that will help your joint range of motion
- Improved strength and mobility: your physiotherapist will give you an individualized program to strengthen the muscles that stabilize your osteoarthritis joints which will minimize your pain and mobility
- Improved function: your osteoarthritis physiotherapist will help to improve function in daily life activities (e.g., squatting, stairs, walking), as well as more complex physical activities and sports
In summary, physiotherapy is very beneficial for treating osteoarthritis and is one of the most common treatments for OA. Research studies have shown that physiotherapy, either as an individually delivered treatment or in a small group format, is an effective intervention for patients with knee and hip OA.
Why Choose Us
Comprehensive
GRSM Injection Clinic physicians are committed to providing high quality comprehensive assessment and medical care to ensure that injection therapy is appropriate for you.
Education
A very important part of treating your sports injury or osteoarthritis is understanding as much as possible about your condition or injury, and then being well-informed about the treatment options available to you.
Leading Edge Technoloigy
GRSM injection physicians are specially trained to do ultrasound-guided injections to maximize accuracy and effectiveness of injections.
Regenerate...Heal the Tissue
These injections harness your body’s own tissue (e.g., growth factors, hormones, stem cells) to power the healing and regeneration of the injured body part.
Safety and Comfort
The GRSM Injection Clinic uses rigorous methods to ensure your safety when to come for an injection.
Evidenced-based Treatment
The GRSM Injection Clinic bases its treatment methods on objective research-based evidence.
Services
SPORTS MEDICINE
Physicians at GRSM specialize in sports medicine and are certified with the Canadian Academy of Sport & Exercise Medicine (CASEM) . Our physicians provide expert medical care for both high performance athletes, recreational athletes and active individuals.
PHYSIOTHERAPY
Physiotherapy at GRSM focuses on sport- and activity-specific rehabilitation. Our goal is to return you to your activity as soon and as safely as possible.
CHIROPRACTIC
Active Release Therapy is a patented, state-of-the-art massage technique. The technique is soft tissue system/movement-based and treats problems with muscles, tendons, ligaments, fascia and nerves.
MASSAGE THERAPY
Our Registered Massage Therapists use preventative and restorative therapies to help you maintain, rehabilitate and improve physical function or relieve your pain.
ATHLETIC THERAPY
Our Certified Athletic Therapists use a full range of treatments to rehabilitate, prevent injury and help you return safely to your sports and other activities.
FOOT ORTHOTICS
Our pedorthists are trained in assessing, casting, design and fitting of foot appliances (orthotics) and in fitting of footwear to reduce painful and debilitating conditions of the lower limbs and feet.