Symptoms of pain, swelling and stiffness in the joints can be associated with osteoarthritis, the most common type of arthritis. It affects an estimated 31 million Americans, according to the Arthritis Foundation.
Licensed physical therapists at HonorHealth’s Outpatient Therapy Services use conservative and nonsurgical treatment options to help relieve joint pain and improve comfort:
Exercise
If you suffer from hip and knee pain, you can greatly benefit from exercise, says Benjamin Stern, an HonorHealth physical therapist. Exercise can help build bone and muscle strength, increase energy levels, improve balance and combat fatigue. Exercises that focus on coordination, range and quality of motion can make a significant impact. So can incorporating gentle weight resistance to build strength.
Therapeutic taping
The application of tape can provide relief from joint discomfort. The technique can be incorporated into treatment to:
- Reduce inflammation
- Promote good circulation
- Improve support and comfort through subtle changes in the tissue and joint position
Dry needling
This simple and safe technique is similar to acupuncture but based on Western medicine. The technique focuses on reaching trigger points in the muscles and is used to treat joint pain, chronic pain, spasms in muscles and headaches.
Manual therapy
This approach combines gentle, passive joint movements, muscle stretching, trigger point release, and manual or tool-assisted soft tissue mobilization.
Experts at HonorHealth’s outpatient therapy centers work closely with physical therapy professionals who specialize in orthopedics and neurology to exchange ideas, coordinate care and modify treatment to improve patient outcomes. Learn more about HonorHealth’s comprehensive outpatient therapy services.