A Closer Look at Arthritis Symptoms

Arthritis is a broad term for conditions that affect the joints and often cause pain and inflammation in the joints. While there are many types, osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are among the most common.

Osteoarthritis develops as the protective cartilage that cushions the ends of bones gradually breaks down. When this happens, the joint becomes less able to distribute forces smoothly, contributing to pain, stiffness, reduced mobility, and changes throughout the joint over time.

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease, meaning the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks the lining of healthy joints. This ongoing inflammation can damage cartilage, bone, and surrounding tissues if left untreated.

Despite their differences, both of these conditions produce symptoms that can have a big impact on daily life, including:

• Joint pain during or after activity
• Joint stiffness first thing in the morning
• Swelling around the joints
• Difficulty performing daily tasks

Why Regular Movement is Key

One of the things that can make arthritis so challenging is that pain and stiffness can lead to a cycle of inactivity that then worsens symptoms. After all, when walking causes pain, it makes sense that you would want to avoid it!

Unfortunately, reduced activity can lead to a loss of muscle strength, which reduces support for the affected joint. Less support means movement becomes even more painful, leading patients to continue avoiding activity. A lack of exercise also impacts joint health in other ways, as joints will lose lubrication and become stiffer. It can also negatively affect balance, increasing the risk of falls.

The key, then, is to find exercises that keep you active without aggravating your symptoms. And that’s where Moore Myoworx’s approach can shine.

A Personalized Approach That Complements Your Arthritis Care

Arthritis medication can help control pain and inflammation, especially for people with rheumatoid arthritis. However, medication alone can’t restore strength, improve balance, retrain movement patterns, or improve how your muscles and nervous system work together. That’s what specialized therapy is for–and it’s why it complements medication treatment so well.

Our team works closely with you to create a personalized treatment plan that fits your specific needs. At your first appointment, we’ll learn more about your symptoms, activity levels, and overall treatment goals. We’ll also perform a physical evaluation to help us understand how your muscles, nervous system, posture, movement patterns, and overall function may be contributing to your symptoms. 

We’ll then build a personalized care plan based on our findings. Since no two patients are the same, no two treatment plans are, either. However, we generally incorporate the following approaches:

• Hands-on treatment to help reduce pain and muscle tension, improve soft tissue mobility, and make movement more comfortable
• Neuromuscular reeducation techniques that help improve communication between the brain, nerves, and muscles, which encourages better movement quality
• Guided movement strategies that improve joint mobility without placing unnecessary stress on irritated tissues
• Balance and coordination training to improve confidence with daily activities
• Strengthening exercises that help support painful joints
• Education about activity modification, pacing, and joint protection strategies

Best of all? These treatments work alongside medications prescribed by your physician. Together, they can help improve comfort, movement, and overall function.

Get Back to Doing What You Love

Living with arthritis does not mean giving up the activities that matter most. The right combination of medical care, regular movement, and personalized therapy can help you get back to feeling like yourself again. 

Schedule an appointment today to learn more about how our approach might benefit you. No matter your treatment goals, we’ll develop a care plan to help you move with more comfort and confidence.

Sources: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0003496724000542

Stiff Joints? Here’s Why Movement Is the Answer

As we looked at above, prolonged inactivity isn’t the best way to manage arthritis. And it doesn’t just worsen pain symptoms, either. It can also worsen joint stiffness, making physical activity more difficult. 

A Closer Look at Why Joint Movement Helps Reduce Stiffness

Healthy joints are lined with cartilage, a smooth tissue that cushions the ends of bones. Cartilage doesn’t have its own blood supply, however. Instead, it receives nutrients from synovial fluid, the joint’s natural lubricant. Every time you move, this fluid circulates through the joint, helping nourish the cartilage and reduce friction.

For people with osteoarthritis, regular movement can help improve joint mobility and support better overall function despite changes within the joint. For those with rheumatoid arthritis, appropriate exercise can help preserve mobility, maintain strength, and reduce the effects of prolonged inactivity.

Movement Guidance from Moore Myoworx

However, it is important to choose the right type of movement when you’re managing arthritis. Doing too much too quickly can increase discomfort in the moment and make it harder to stay active.  A personalized plan from our team helps you find the right balance. One of our big goals is to help your body move more efficiently while placing less stress on painful joints.

If arthritis is limiting your mobility, you don’t have to face it alone. Schedule an appointment to learn how our personalized therapy programs can help you reduce stiffness, improve movement, and achieve your recovery goals.