Pain Relief is Right Around the Corner!
Do you wake up feeling rigid and aching in the morning in your joints? You may think, "Did I sleep wrong on my neck? Do I have to upgrade my mattress? ”
It's only natural for us to feel a little off from time to time when our day begins! However, if you notice that you are regularly waking up in pain, it may be time to go to a physical therapist.
Aching, stiff joints can be a problem that is easily solved, but in some situations, your doctor may diagnose you with a disorder that requires referral to a physical therapist for further treatment.
Our clinic has worked with hundreds of people struggling with aches and pains in their joints, so please contact us today to learn more. We are 100% dedicated to helping you achieve a better quality of life!
3 solutions for achy joint relief
Your physical therapy treatment plan will largely depend on the specific symptoms or diagnosis you have received.
There are several recommendations that work hand-in-hand with physical therapy.
Here are some tips that your physical therapist may share with you on your recovery journey!
- Posture improvement. It’s important to get up every half hour for stretches if you work at a job that requires you to stay pretty sedentary all day. Moving around keeps your circulations going, and can help relieve joint pain. Having good posture during the day also helps your joints to function properly. When we slouch or don’t practice good posture, it causes unnecessary strain on parts of the body that shouldn’t be stressed.
- Sleep, sleep, sleep. Sleep can help you stay fit -- pretty cool, huh? Getting enough sleep at night creates a circular benefit with physical therapy exercises, because when you get enough sleep, it increases your ability to exercise effectively. When you exercise regularly, it helps you to get better sleep. Better sleep habits and physical exercise are a powerful duo for keeping aches and stiffness away.
- Nutritious diet. According to Healthline, “A plant-based diet provides antioxidants, which can help reduce inflammation by eliminating free radicals from the body.” Having a well-rounded diet is key to relieving joint pain. Be sure to consume lots of brightly colored fruits and vegetables. These healthy foods contain many antioxidants and vitamins, which help to fight the swelling and inflammation that can lead to joint pain. A better diet also helps your body reap more benefits from exercise, and helps you to get better sleep!
What should I do if my condition is serious?
Sometimes it’s not as simple as consuming enough fluids throughout the day to ease your aching joints.
If your doctor has diagnosed you with a more serious medical condition that impacts your joints and tissues, physical therapy can be a great option for ultimate pain relief or elimination.
Here are some of the most common ailments that can be relieved with the guidance of a physical therapist:
- Osteoarthritis.
- Rheumatoid arthritis.
- Gout.
- Bursitis.
- Lupus.
Unfortunately, all of these conditions can cause aching, stiffness, and joint pain.
A physical therapist will work with you to help you gain your strength back, achieve a greater range of motion with the affected joints or limbs, and relieve the pain so you can enjoy a better quality of life.
Waking up achy? This could be the reason!
Your joint tissues get irritated during the day. When you're exhausted and ready to go to bed, there's a fair chance that you won't even notice it. Much of the time, when you fall asleep, you stay immobile overnight. This causes the inflammation to make the joints thicker and more irritated.
You may already know what the result is: you wake up in the morning and find that your joints are sore and aching. However, typically after you start moving around the inflammation becomes more fluid-like and the discomfort decreases or ceases altogether.
Your physical therapist is likely to suggest a very standard solution for this, which is that you remain well hydrated during the day. Drinking enough water and staying hydrated allows your body's tissues to function at their normal rate, while dehydration slows down your chemical processes and has the opposite effect.
Ready to get started?
Some people assume that you have to be a professional athlete or bodybuilder to work with a physical therapist on a regular basis, but this is far from the facts.
Many of the exercises and stretches that our physical therapists teach and recommend are very simple and easy to do on your own. Additionally, they do not require special tools or equipment. Not to mention, most of our patients are ordinary people, not Olympic champions.
If you have joint pain, it's time to ease the discomfort. Contact our office today to learn more about how physical therapy will help you and alleviate your pain.
We can arrange a detailed evaluation for you to meet with one of our movement specialists. He or she will be able to determine your condition and develop a personalized care plan to fit your exact needs. So, get started today! Pain relief is just a phone call away!
