DEEP RELIEF | How to improve restricted range of motion due to arthritis
Arthritis refers to over 200 rheumatic diseases and conditions that affect joints, including lupus and rheumatoid arthritis. It is a chronic inflammatory condition that affects one or more joints. There are a range of symptoms associated with arthritis including pain, swelling and stiffness, which all impair a person’s ability to perform activities of daily living. The symptoms worsen with age and inactivity. There are many factors that contribute to the development of arthritis, including injury, abnormal metabolism, genetic influences, infections, and immune system dysfunction. Treatment for arthritis aims to control pain, minimize joint damage, improve range of motion in joints, and ultimately improve and maintain quality of life.
Treatment for arthritis include medications, non-pharmacological therapies, physical therapy, splints or joint assistive aids, diet control, patient education and support, weight loss, and surgery. All treatment must be considered as the condition progressively worsens.
Physical activity has been shown to have a positive effect on arthritis. It can improve pain, control, and minimize swelling, improve overall function of the affected joint and improve patient’s quality of life.
The most important aspect of any physical activity routine for arthritis is to focus on improving range of motion and function of affected joints. Some examples of exercises that can be done to improve range of motion for each of the most commonly affected joints:
Article written by EPT – The Ultimate Sports Recovery Experts