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Arthritis and Physiotherapy

By Irdayante Kadir

knee-osteoarthritis-picturePhysiotherapy is widely used to treat stiff joints, a main symptom in some forms of arthritis. Carefully used with professional advice, it can be of considerable benefit to those suffering from rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. Muscles weakened as a consequence of inactivity through arthritis will benefit from physiotherapy. The techniques used can include passive exercise, in which the therapist moves the affected part of a joint to preserve joint mobility, or active exercise, in which the arthritis sufferer is taught to exercise those muscles that are most in need of exercise. You can do this for yourself to a modest degree, to get your joints going in the morning, when they tend to be the stiffest, take a warm bath and so some moderate exercise.

Physiotherapy can help to treat stretched ligaments, maintain smooth joint functioning and prevent deformities developing. Manipulation can also be valuable. Therapeutic massage from a qualified person can also help to treat the symptoms of arthritis, particularly muscular pain. Physiotherapy is frequently prescribed for lower back pain in arthritis sufferers. Where it is not appropriate, the emphasis is on rest, support and controlled ordinary exercise. People with an extremely severe arthritis disability may benefit from physiotherapy, but they may still suffer from restricted mobility.

For these people, there is a range of physical aids available that can help them to cope with everyday activities. Hydrotherapy, exercise in water, is also beneficial. The pain associated with some types of arthritis can be relieved by a qualified physiotherapist. Care must be taken to ensure that the treatment is appropriate for the problem and not given excessively. Younger and taller people will usually find the upper limit achievable. Older, shorter people may have to be content with a rate of loss near the bottom limit. You may like to keep a chart, which acts both as a motivator and a reminder, to record your weight loss or decreasing BMI weekly. Support groups may be helpful.

Weight control requires discipline. Once the target has been reached, diet still has to be controlled. Partners, family and friends can help with encouraging comments. Most people like their appearance to be appreciated, and also like their determination and effort in keeping to the diet to be observed. Following a sensible diet to lose weight can be reinforced by keeping a diary of everything that you eat. Once you have reached a healthy weight, maintain your routine to keep it off.

Irda Kadir is a freelance medical writer and has written more than 30 health books. She has a successful website of her own, and has written for magazines and publications regarding health related topics. For more information on Arthritis Treatment please visit her website at http://NutritionalSupplementProduct.com/

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Irdayante_Kadir

 

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