Up to 58 million Americans have arthritis, a group of diseases that affect the joints. At Valley Rehabilitation of Sun City West in Sun City West, Arizona, experienced physical therapist Kimberly Hilditch, PT, MSPT, and the team use physical therapy and rehabilitation to relieve arthritis pain, improve mobility, and help people feel their best. Manual therapies and other minimally invasive treatments can help you return to your favorite activities and improve your quality of life. Call Valley Rehabilitation of Sun City West today to schedule an arthritis consultation, or book your appointment online.

request an appointment

Will physical therapy help me if I have arthritis?

Yes. If you have osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, or another similar condition, physical therapy can improve your mobility, help you maintain your physical fitness, and build strength to support your joints.

Guided exercises and manual therapies can prevent arthritis from worsening, letting you continue to work and perform other routine activities.

When should I see a physical therapist about arthritis?

Mild arthritis typically responds to conservative treatments, like ice, anti-inflammatory medication, and activity changes. But if your symptoms continue or worsen, your primary care provider might refer you to a physical therapist.

The Valley Rehabilitation of Sun City West team has years of experience working with arthritis patients. After a review of your medical records and an in-office consultation, they can make personalized treatment recommendations to help you feel your best.

How can I get the most out of physical therapy if I have arthritis?

The goal of physical therapy and rehabilitation is to identify specific problems that affect your physical function and give you strategies to address them. During your first visit, let your Valley Rehabilitation of Sun City West provider know about your goals.

Depending on where your arthritis pain occurs, your goal might be to climb stairs without difficulty or to get in and out of the car. Your physical therapist takes these goals into account and then develops a treatment plan to help you achieve them.

Physical therapy is a cumulative treatment, meaning the results take several weeks or months to add up. Therefore, it’s crucial that you attend each of your scheduled appointments and follow your physical therapist’s instructions at home.

What types of treatment do physical therapists recommend for arthritis?

The Valley Rehabilitation and Sun City West team offers several types of treatment to manage arthritis-related pain. Your provider might suggest:

  • Manual stretching
  • Strengthening exercises
  • Manual traction
  • Joint mobilization
  • Myofascial release
  • Trigger point release
  • Deep soft tissue mobilization
  • Muscle energy techniques
  • Ultrasound therapy
  • Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS)
  • Mechanical traction
  • Iontophoresis
  • Laser Touch One™

It might take a combination of several treatments, depending on the type of arthritis you have and its location.

Call Valley Rehabilitation of Sun City West today to explore the treatment options for arthritis pain, or book your physical therapy appointment online.