Have you been experiencing stiffness or pain around any of your joints? If so, you may be suffering from arthritis. Arthritis is extremely common in the United States, especially in middle age and beyond.
Arthritis is an inflammation of one or more joints in the body. There are a many types of arthritis, but the most common are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Osteoarthritis causes the cartilage to break down. Cartilage is the hard tissue that covers the end of the bones at each joint. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disorder that first targets the lining of joints. Although both damage joints, they do so in very different ways.
There are a few risk factors that you should be aware of regarding arthritis!
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Family history– Some types of arthritis run in families. Your genes can make you more susceptible to environmental factors that may trigger arthritis.
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Age– The risk of many types of arthritis increase with age.
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Gender – Women are more likely than are men to develop rheumatoid arthritis, while most of the people who have gout, another type of arthritis, are men.
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Previous joint injury– People who have injured a joint are more likely to eventually develop arthritis in that joint.
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Obesity– Extra weight can put stress on joints, particularly your knees, hips and spine.
One of the best options for treatment of the symptoms of arthritis is physical therapy. Whether you know you have arthritis, or are under the impression you may have it, it’s important you consult your physician for proper diagnosis. A physical therapist can evaluate your affected joints. They will create a personalized treatment plan to improve your quality of life by helping to reduce pain, stiffness, and increase strength which restores mobility!
At Farmingdale Physical Therapy East, conveniently located at 326 Main Street in Farmingdale, we have a team of advanced and experienced physical therapists ready to help you. Contact us today to start improving your arthritis!