Arthritis, Osteoporosis and arthritides - The Sterling Physiotherapy Practice

Arthritis

Hip x-rayThere are many forms of arthritis, the most common being Osteoarthritis. It is the wearing down of joint cartilage through either a single or multiple traumas which render the body unable to repair. We all have a degree of wear as we age. The less active we are the more prone we become to it. Other people are too active but this is less common than under-use.

When you tell your GP or consultant about your pain or lost function he/she may put it down to simple wear and tear, maybe send you for an x-ray to confirm this and they could be right but in so many cases the wear on x-ray does not necessarily match your symptoms.

This has been shown by the number of hip and knee x-rays showing arthritic changes in people with no symptoms. This is why it is important to seek an experienced therapeutic opinion before going down the route of surgery.

Physiotherapy can reduce the need for surgery and alleviate the symptoms associated with arthritis, even whilst waiting for surgery. The outcome of surgery is improved by good pre-operative preparations with physiotherapy.

For more information on arthritis visit the Arthritis Foundation website.

Treatments available from the Sterling Physiotherapy Practice for arthritis include: hot and cold therapy, acupuncture, massage, joint connective and soft tissue mobilisation, electrotherapy, biomechanical correction/training, specific exercise to speed recovery and maintain/regain fitness levels, core stability training

Osteoporosis

This means ‘porous bones’. Calcium uptake is limited, rendering you at risk of breaks and this can leave people in significant long term discomfort.

However, you can alleviate your symptoms and reduce the risk of problems worsening through exercise-related therapy and other modalities such as good diet. Check the National Osteoporosis web site out.

For more information on osteoporosis visit the National Osteoporosis Society's website.

Treatments available from the Sterling Physiotherapy Practice for osteoporosis include: acupuncture for pain, massage, soft tissue mobilisation, biomechanical correction/training, postural correction assistance, specific exercise to speed recovery and maintain/regain fitness levels, range of motion and strength, core stability training.

Rheumatoid, psoriatic and other systemic arthritides

These disease processes are characterised by the immune system attacking joints, causing the wear of the joint lining. It can be varied in its onset and course but the sufferer can have a significant influence on the degree of disability it causes, if shown how. The therapy you receive must be tailored to the stage of inflammation.

For more information on rheumatoid arthritis visit the National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society's website.

Treatments available from the Sterling Physiotherapy Practice for rheumatoid, psoriatic and other systemic arthritises include: acupuncture for pain, massage, joint connective and soft tissue mobilisation, electrotherapy, biomechanical correction/training, specific exercise to speed recovery and maintain/regain fitness levels, range of motion and strength, core stability training

The Sterling Physiotherapy Practice has expanded and now offers a full range of physiotherapy services from the Ashbrooke Sports Club and the Sunderland physiotherapy clinic.