Managing Osteoarthritis: Restoring Motion, Reducing Pain
Osteoarthritis is often described as an inevitable part of aging, but while joint changes are common, living in persistent pain is not. At CARE Institute, our goal is to shift the focus from what you can't do to what you can achieve through evidence-based rehabilitation. We provide the clinical tools to help you move with confidence.
The Reality of Osteoarthritis: Motion is Lotion
Many patients hesitate to start physiotherapy because they fear that exercise will cause further "wear and tear." In reality, the opposite is true. Joints lack a direct blood supply and rely on movement to circulate synovial fluid—the natural lubricant of the body.
Myth:"My joints are bone-on-bone, so I should rest to save them."
Reality:
Controlled loading through specific exercises strengthens the surrounding muscles, which act as "shock absorbers" for the joint, effectively reducing the pressure on the bone.
Myth:"Pain means I am causing damage."
Reality:
While sharp, increasing pain should be monitored, the "stiff" pain associated with osteoarthritis often improves with gentle, guided movement.
Your Recovery Roadmap
We take a structured, three-phase approach to managing osteoarthritis. This ensures we don't just treat the symptoms, but build long-term resilience.
1: The Relief Phase:
Our initial focus is on calming the nervous system and reducing acute discomfort. This may include manual therapy, hydrotherapy to offload joint pressure, or acupuncture to manage pain signaling.
2: The Restoration Phase:
Once pain is manageable, we work on restoring your range of motion. We introduce targeted strengthening for the muscles that support your affected joints (such as the glutes for hip osteoarthritis or quads for knee osteoarthritis).
3: The Resilience Phase:
The final stage focuses on lifestyle integration. We provide you with a sustainable home program and ergonomic strategies to ensure you can stay active, work, and enjoy your hobbies with minimal flare-ups.
Is it Time for a Professional Assessment?
If you are unsure whether your joint pain requires clinical intervention, consider the following:
- Do you experience morning stiffness?
- Does joint pain interfere with your ability to sleep or perform daily tasks like stairs or grocery shopping?
- Have you noticed a decrease in your balance or a feeling of "instability" in your knees or hips?
- Do your joints feel "locked" or significantly stiffer after periods of sitting?
If you answered yes to any of the above, a functional assessment can help determine the current health of your joints and the best path forward.
Clinical Interventions We Utilize
- Physiotherapy: Focused on biomechanics, loading strategies, and functional movement.
- Hydrotherapy: Utilizing our 98-degree pool to allow for movement in a buoyant, reduced-gravity environment.
- Chiropractic Care: Ensuring proper spinal and peripheral joint alignment to optimize how your body distributes weight.
- Custom Bracing & Orthotics: Providing external support to offload specific compartments of the joint when necessary.
Ready to Move with Less Pain?
Don't let joint stiffness dictate your daily routine. Whether you are looking to avoid surgery or simply want to walk with more ease, our team is here to create a personalized plan that works for you.