Arthritis is one of the most common causes of chronic hip and knee pain in American adults. As arthritis breaks down the cartilage in your joints, it makes your daily life much more challenging. It becomes more difficult to enjoy your favorite hobbies, get your work done, or even do simple tasks like changing clothes or showering.

Sadly, there is no cure for arthritis, but there are treatments that help manage the pain, improve your range of motion and slow the progression of the disease. One treatment that helps many people with hip and knee pain caused by arthritis is physical therapy.

Treating hip and knee arthritis with physical therapy

Physical therapists are licensed health care professionals who specialize in a wide range of treatment methods that can help you manage arthritis in your hips and knees. One of the main goals of physical therapy is to improve your strength and flexibility in targeted areas to help you support the arthritic joint. 

If you visit a physical therapist for help with hip and knee pain caused by arthritis, you can expect a thorough, personalized treatment that will likely include:

• Gentle exercises and stretches — Stretches and exercises are two of the main ways to improve your strength and flexibility. Your physical therapist will guide you through safe exercises and stretches designed to target specific muscles that support your joints. Better support for the joints helps to reduce strain on them that can make your arthritis pain and stiffness worse.

• Posture improvement — Poor posture increases strain on your joints. Your physical therapist can examine your posture to identify ways that you can make improvements. They will take a look at the ways you sit, stand and sleep, and will recommend ways you can change your posture to help reduce strain off your joints.
• Manual therapy — Manual therapy includes a series of hands-on techniques that physical therapists use to gently mobilize and maneuver your joints and soft tissue. This helps to reduce pain and improve your range of motion. It can also help break down scar tissue that may be contributing to your condition. 

VIsit Rehab Access for hip and knee pain treatment

Arthritis in the hips and knees can keep you from enjoying your daily life, but this doesn’t mean there aren’t options for you to fight back. Our physical therapists at Rehab Access can work closely with you to help you manage your arthritis and improve your quality of life. Contact our team today for more information about treating arthritis in your hips and knees or to schedule an initial appointment.