Take a Proactive Approach to Arthritis Pain with Physical Therapy
Have you recently learned that your persistent joint pain is the result of arthritis? For many, this can be a challenging discovery, as the most common forms of arthritis have no known cures. But rest assured that you do not have to spend your life living with debilitating joint pain, especially when evidence-based movement therapy can help restore function and slow joint changes.
Arthritis refers to several conditions that cause joint inflammation, leading to pain and mobility restriction. The most common form, osteoarthritis, can cause pain during movement. It’s no surprise, then, that many people with arthritis avoid activity.
At McCabe and Brady Physical Therapy, our McKenzie-certified clinicians take a full-joint approach to arthritis. Using precise mechanical assessment and the Cyriax method of differential diagnosis, we identify the specific movements that reduce your pain and stiffness. This ensures that your treatment plan targets the true mechanical source of your symptoms, not just the inflammation.
Regular physical activity remains one of the best ways to manage arthritis pain. It also can help delay the progression and may help you avoid surgery. The physical therapy approach focuses on drug-free pain relief, progressive movement, and patient education so you can take a proactive role in your recovery.
Got Arthritis? What To Expect if You Skip Regular Exercise
Your muscles will weaken:
One of the big benefits of exercise is that it builds muscle mass. If you don’t exercise regularly, your muscle mass will decrease, especially if you’re older, as muscle mass naturally decreases as we age.
What does this mean if you have arthritis? Without strong muscles, your impacted joints don’t get the strength and stability they need to function, which puts even more stress on them, and means more pain in the long run.
Your joints will get stiffer:
Our bodies are made to move, and when we don’t move them frequently enough, our joints don’t get the lubrication they need to run properly. At McCabe and Brady Physical Therapy we use the phrase “Motion is Lotion”. This is as true for people with arthritis as it is for anyone else. Plus, since arthritis causes joint stiffness, not moving will only worsen your symptoms.
You increase your risk of injury:
When you don’t exercise, you start to lose everyday abilities like balance, stability, and coordination. You can also develop muscular imbalances, improper biomechanics, or postural issues, all of which increase your odds of suffering an injury.
What Happens When You Do Exercise with Arthritis
- You’ll experience less pain: While it’s true that activity can initially worsen arthritis pain, regular exercise will decrease your pain symptoms over time.
- You’ll experience fewer mobility restrictions: Just as regular exercise can decrease pain, it will also help improve your range of motion, meaning you can move more easily.
- The progression of your arthritis may slow: Both osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, the two most common forms of arthritis, will gradually worsen over time and may eventually require you to undergo surgery. Exercising won’t cure arthritis, but it will slow the damage to your joints.
- You may feel more empowered: Living with a chronic condition is hard. Regular exercise can help you feel like you’re taking an active role in managing your condition and reducing your pain.
- You’ll experience other physical and mental benefits: Exercise offers many benefits beyond pain management. It can improve mood and quality of sleep, protect you from heart disease and diabetes, and help you stay active and independent well into old age.
Ready to Start Exercising? McCabe and Brady Physical Therapy Can Help!
While the benefits of regular exercise for arthritis are undeniable, getting started can be challenging. Our therapists use McKenzie and Cyriax principles to tailor a plan that matches your joint type, pain pattern, and goals.
This is where our physical therapists shine! We’ll create a customized arthritis treatment plan that speaks to your needs and abilities. Here’s a taste of all that we can offer:
- Manual techniques and pain-relieving modalities to manage flare-ups
- Individualized exercise progressions to rebuild strength and motion
- Joint-specific stability and functional movement retraining
- Guidance on safe home and community activity
Don’t let arthritis limit your life. Contact McCabe and Brady Physical Therapy today to begin your personalized arthritis treatment plan and rediscover confident movement.
Get Started with PT Now!
Return to McCabe and Brady Physical Therapy and Let’s Continue Your Journey to Wellness Together. Schedule Your Appointment Now!
November Word Scramble
nrbareycr
tfuisngf
ouoarncpic
iamylf
drapea
altkunhf
Answer Key
cranberry
stuffing
cornucopia
family
parade
thankful
This Delicious Healthy Spinach Dip is the perfect guilt-free snack, packed with flavor and wholesome ingredients. Whether you’re hosting friends or craving a light bite, it’s a tasty way to enjoy a classic favorite.
Enjoy This Seasonal Healthy Recipe!
Delicious Healthy Spinach Dip
- 1 cup frozen chopped spinach, thawed
- 2 x 10 oz packages chopped spinach, frozen
- 1/2 large onion, finely chopped
- 2 large garlic cloves, minced + 1 small garlic clove, grated
- 1 medium carrot, finely grated
- 2 tbsp oil, for frying
- 2 cups Greek or regular plain yogurt, at least 2% fat
- 1/4 cup mayo
- 1 tsp salt
- Ground black pepper, to taste
Defrost spinach in a colander overnight or microwave it. Squeeze out excess water and place in a medium bowl. In a non-stick skillet over medium heat, sauté onion, 2 minced garlic cloves, and carrot in a bit of oil for about 7 minutes. Add to the spinach along with yogurt, mayo, salt, and pepper. Mix well. Grate in more garlic to taste. Chill for a few hours if possible. Serve with pretzel chips or brown rice crackers.
Exercise of the Month
SEATED LEG EXTENSION
Sit up straight in a chair with your feet flat on the floor. Slowly extend one leg out in front of you until it’s straight, squeezing your thigh muscle. Hold briefly, then lower it back down with control. Alternate legs or complete all reps on one side before switching.
3 Sets, 10 Reps (each leg). (Materials needed: chair)
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What You Should Know About Rheumatoid Arthritis
RA is an autoimmune condition that occurs when your body’s immune system attacks otherwise healthy cells, specifically the soft tissue in your joints. Researchers are still working to determine the cause, but the inflammatory response leads to joint swelling, stiffness, and tissue damage if not managed early. Our team’s goal is to help preserve motion, strength, and function during all stages of the condition.
Signs and Symptoms
RA’s symptoms tend to go through cycles of flares and remissions. This means you’ll have periods where symptoms are more intense and others where they are less troublesome. These symptoms include:
- Pain and swelling in joints on both sides of your body
- A gradual onset of pain beginning with the small joints in your fingers or wrists
- Stiffness and restricted range of motion, particularly in the morning
- Redness, warmth, and tenderness in affected joints
- Fatigue, low-grade fever, and a general feeling of malaise
What Else Should I Know?
RA is more common among women than men. Although autoimmune conditions can’t be cured, physical therapy plays a key role in managing their effects. At McCabe and Brady Physical Therapy, our McKenzie-therapists use evidence-based techniques like manual therapy and progressive exercise to maintain mobility, reduce inflammation-related stiffness, and teach joint protection strategies.
As with other forms of arthritis, regular physical activity can help manage RA symptoms. We tailor exercises to your tolerance and teach you safe movement strategies to stay active through both flare and remission phases. Our goal is to help you move comfortably, protect your joints, and stay independent for years to come.
Want to learn more? Call McCabe and Brady Physical Therapy today to schedule your appointment and discover how personalized physical therapy can help you manage rheumatoid arthritis with confidence.
Our Patients Get Great Results
“I would definitely recommend McCabe and Brady. Alex was very helpful, and I was able to resolve my issues with my TMJ with the exercises I was assigned to do.“
— Christina B.
Innovative Approaches to Physical Wellness this Thanksgiving Season
Thanksgiving is more than just a day of feasting; it’s a time to come together and celebrate what we’re thankful for. While traditional advice often emphasizes the basics, let’s elevate your approach to physical well-being this season with these cutting-edge tips:
- Dynamic Warm-Up Before the Turkey Trot: If you’re planning a Thanksgiving morning run or family games, forget old-school stretching. Use a dynamic warm-up to prep your muscles and boost your range of motion.
- Text Neck Prevention: As we catch up on social media or text friends and family Thanksgiving wishes, “text neck” can be a real issue. Counteract this by sitting tall or not at all and doing neck stretches every hour.
- Mindfulness Through Movement: Instead of sitting to meditate or relax, try combining mindfulness with gentle movements like Tai Chi or a light stroll through the neighborhood.
Embrace your health by prioritizing your physical and mental well-being to ensure you have the best Thanksgiving yet! 🦃
Refer a Friend
If you’ve experienced the outstanding care at McCabe and Brady Physical Therapy, why not share it with your friends? Referring them means giving them access to personalized treatment that can make a real difference in their health and well-being. Help them find a trusted healthcare partner—refer a friend to McCabe and Brady Physical Therapy today!
Meet Our Team
Alexandra Prophet
DPT, Cert. MDT
Douglas Brady
DPT, JD, Cert. MDT, AIB-VRC
Frank McCabe
MPT, B.S. Ex. Phys., Cert. MDT
Lauren Suchanick
DPT, Cert. MDT, AIB-VRC
Richard Winters
CSCS, DPT, OCS, Cert. MDT
Steve Smeck
BS. Ex. Phys, DPT
