Debilitating chronic illnesses like fibromyalgia and arthritis may make it difficult for a person to carry out everyday tasks, which lowers their quality of life. Physiotherapy has been demonstrated to be an efficient adjunct therapy that may assist in improving mobility, decreasing pain and exhaustion, and increasing the overall quality of life of people living with chronic diseases.
In this article, we’ll look at the many methods physiotherapists use to assist their patients as well as how physiotherapy may help manage chronic disorders like fibromyalgia and arthritis.
Understanding Fibromyalgia and Arthritis
Let’s first define these chronic conditions and examine how they impact the body before discussing how physiotherapy might assist in managing them.
A typical ailment that affects the joints and causes pain, stiffness, and inflammation is arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis are the two most prevalent kinds of arthritis out of the numerous others. While rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune illness that causes the body’s immune system to attack the joints, causing inflammation, osteoarthritis is brought on by wear and tear on the joints.
Contrarily, fibromyalgia is a disorder that results in widespread pain and soreness in the muscles and joints. Additionally, it results in mood swings, sleep problems, and weariness. That said, there are some treatments that can aid with managing the symptoms of pain in order to lead a higher quality of life such as physiotherapy.
How is Physiotherapy Beneficial for These Chronic Conditions?
By treating the symptoms of these disorders, physiotherapy may assist in managing chronic conditions like fibromyalgia and arthritis. Our physiotherapist will collaborate with the patient to create a treatment strategy that is personalized for their unique requirements.
Here are some ways that physical therapy may aid in the management of fibromyalgia and arthritis:
Exercise
A vital part of any physiotherapy treatment is exercise. A physiotherapist will collaborate with the patient to create an exercise program suitable for their level of physical fitness and ability. Exercise may help build general strength and endurance, decrease pain and inflammation, and improve joint mobility.
Exercises that emphasize low-impact sports like walking, cycling, and swimming might ease joint stress in arthritis sufferers. Muscle strength may be increased by strengthening workouts, which can support the joints.
Exercise may help fibromyalgia sufferers feel less pain and stiffness, sleep better, and live better overall. Walking and other low-impact activities like yoga and tai chi may be very beneficial as well.
Manual Treatment
Hands-on methods are utilized in manual therapy to move and manipulate the soft tissues and joints. This may be done using methods including stretching, joint mobilization, and massage.
Manual therapy may help arthritis sufferers increase joint mobility and lessen pain and inflammation. Manual therapy may also help fibromyalgia sufferers feel less pain and tightness in their muscles.
Education
Patients may get information and guidance from a physiotherapist on how to take care of their ailment. Information about posture, ergonomics, and lifestyle changes that might lessen discomfort and enhance function may be included in this.
Education on joint protection strategies, including utilizing assistive devices, changing activities, and taking it slow throughout the day, may be given to arthritis sufferers. Patients with fibromyalgia may benefit from teaching on stress-reduction methods like mindfulness and relaxation.
Assisted Technologies
Assistive technology may ease joint stress and enhance functionality. A physiotherapist may suggest and prescribe aids that can help with joint stability and pain management, such as braces, splints, and orthotics.
Patients with arthritis may find it simpler to carry out everyday tasks with the use of assistive equipment like mobility scooters or walking aids that lessen the pressure on the joints. Patients with fibromyalgia might experience less pain and muscular strain thanks to assistive technology like ergonomic keyboards and chairs.
Pain Management
Physiotherapists can aid in the pain management of chronic illnesses including fibromyalgia and arthritis. To assist lessen pain and inflammation, they may make use of methods including acupuncture, electrotherapy, and heat-and-cold therapy.
In individuals with arthritis, heat treatment may assist in increasing joint flexibility and lessening stiffness, while cold therapy can help lessen pain and inflammation. Acupuncture and electrotherapy may help fibromyalgia sufferers feel less pain and tightness in their muscles.
Summary: How Can Physiotherapy Help In the Management of Chronic Conditions Such As Arthritis or Fibromyalgia?
For the treatment of chronic illnesses including arthritis and fibromyalgia, physiotherapy may be a useful adjunct therapy. Exercise, manual therapy, education, assistive technology, and pain management are some of the approaches that physiotherapists employ to help patients with these disorders increase their mobility, lessen pain and tiredness, and improve their overall quality of life.
Book Your Treatment at Dun-Dix Healthcare Clinic in Mississauga
To speak with our Mississauga experts about the advantages of physiotherapy if you have a chronic illness like fibromyalgia or arthritis, please give us a call. Our physiotherapist will work with you to create a custom treatment plan that is suited to your unique requirements and objectives. We look forward to helping you with your treatment!