October is National Physical Therapy Month and movement is what it is all about in order to stay healthy.  Unfortunately, knee joint pain due to arthritis can keep people from moving and staying as active as they should.  Whether your joint pain is caused by a breakdown of cartilage or the result of an autoimmune disease, chances are you have begun restricting your activity level to avoid making matters worse.  However, research has shown that exercise, physical therapy, and lifestyle changes all have the potential to keep you active, reduce joint pain, and, in some cases, even slow the progression of the condition.

For those with joint pain, functional strength training is better for joints than conventional weight lifting, according to a study by the American Council on Exercise (ACE).  Functional strength training consists of strength, endurance, and balance exercises that are designed to help ease everyday movements like walking or carrying groceries.  Physical therapy can bring pain relief, and may be an alternative to surgical intervention for some patients with OA of the knee.  A study in the September 2008 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine found that, among patients with moderate-to-severe osteoarthritis of the knee, those who underwent arthroscopic surgery experienced no additional benefit over patients who received only physical and medical therapy.

Maintaining a healthy weight and keeping the muscles in the hips, legs, and feet strong and balanced can help decrease the progression of OA.  Every pound you gain is the equivalent of four pounds across your knees.  Losing just a little bit of weight, even just 5 or 10 pounds, can make a huge difference in reducing pain in the knees.  If you are having pain in your knees, give us a call at Alliance Physical Therapy for a complete individualized evaluation and treatment plan.

Yours in health,

Val