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Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Conditions
Arthritis is a group of musculoskeletal conditions in which there is wearing and inflammation of the joints, causing chronic pain, welling, stiffness, disability and sometimes deformity.
Musculoskeletal Conditions
Musculoskeletal conditions are those conditions involving the muscles, the skeleton and the joints (includes arthritis).
Arthritis and musculoskeletal conditions are a major cause of pain and disability, affecting around 6.1 million Australians. However, effective treatments and management can reduce the effects of those conditions, and there is also potential in which there is wearing and inflammation of the joints, causing chronic pain, welling, stiffness, disability and sometimes deformity.
What is arthritis?
Arthritis can be disabling because of restricted mobility from severe join pain. Nearly 3.3 million Australians have a disability due to arthritis and related conditions, and more than half of these have chronic or recurrent pain.
The two most common forms of arthritis are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, but there are more than 100 known types of arthritis. Arthritis can result from injury, infection, accumulated wear, degenerative changes, metabolic disturbances, autoimmunity or other causes.
Children can also develop arthritis in a number of forms, which together are grouped under the name juvenile idiopathic arthritis.
The role of physiotherapy
The treatment of arthritis and musculoskeletal conditions is a core function of physiotherapy practice.
Patients with arthritis may benefit from join mobilisation, electrotherapy, physiotherapy, and muscle strengthening exercises.
Physiotherapy can reduce arthritic pain and reliance on drug therapy. Unlike pharmaceuticals, physiotherapy has no side effects and no contraindications.
Physiotherapists treat back and neck pain, muscle strains, spasms and contusions (bruising), joint injuries, tendonitis and bursitis, and muscle imbalance or weakness.
Physiotherapy modalities are critical to the treatment and management of people with disabilities that have musculoskeletal elements. Quality of life is improved by therapy, education and prescription of aids (e.g. Walking Stick) etc. Physiotherapists teach people with disabilities and their families how to improve mobility and teach carers how to reduce the risk of musculoskeletal injury.
Prevention, management and treatment of arthritis and musculoskeletal conditions
Although arthritis is a chronic disease and there is no known cure, treatments and management techniques can help control and reduce the effects of the condition and prevent further deterioration, and may aid in prevention. There are a number of ways of reducing the risk of the onset of arthritis and musculoskeletal conditions:
- avoiding join injury
- avoiding vitamin D deficiency and
- adopting healthy life style behaviors
- healthy weight - obesity is a risk factor for all chronic disease
- healthy eating - a balanced diet rich in vitamin D and calcium
- regular physical activity
- avoiding tobacco use
- avoiding high risk alcohol use and
- falls and fall injuries prevention strategies
Exercise and arthritis and musculoskeletal conditions
Regular, moderate exercise aids in the prevention of musculoskeletal conditions and offers a host of benefits to people with arthritis and osteoporosis. Exercise can reduce join pain and stiffness, builds strong muscle around the joints, and pain increases flexibility and endurance. Weight-bearing exercise assists in the maintenance of bone mass, Therefore, regular exercise such as walking, jogging, tennis or aerobic classes is recommended to help in the prevention of osteoporosis.
The highly skilled physiotherapists at The Sports Injury Clinic can design tailored exercise and aquatic programs to increase physical activity and function without aggravating any coexisting problems. We also provide realistic advice to encourage self-management and build self-confidence to allow patients to make decisions in coping with their conditions.
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HYDROTHERAPY IS HERE!Exercise Physiology at TSIC
If you've been exercising without achieving the desired results, an exercise physiologist is the one person qualified to tell you why. If you want to start an exercise program but not sure where to start, an exercise physiologist can help. As a qualified allied health professional, an exercise physiologist specialises in physical activity and exercise science. They can take the guess work out of exercise, helping you achieve your goals based on knowledge and information compiled through expert screening and assessment of your body, health and fitness level. Results based on fact - not fiction.
TSIC exercise physiologists will be able to help you with:-
- Elite expectations - at any level of fitness your physiotherapists can design a program to suit your needs.
- Achieving goals - To help you train for a particular event, increase fitness or to help you in making healthy lifestyle choices.
- Medical credibility - By working with your GP and Specialists to produce a medically sound program for you.
- Specialised programs - for Rehabilitation, Weight Loss, Strength and Conditioning.
- Structure programs - Appraisal of your health and fitness to provide a basis for your program.
- Support and security - Total commitment to helping you reach your goals.
If you would like to book an appointment with an Exercise physiologist call us today on 03 9783 9990
In Business News: TSIC Media Opportunities
The Sports Injury Clinic is now increasing its business promotional opportunities for local businesses. Business advertising packages will be limited and packages include different advertising mediums such as:
- In-House wall mounted 50 inch Plasma TV at reception.
- In-House wall mounted brochure rack.
- In-House wall mounted business card rack.
- Link to website for wider audience.
- Advertising in TSIC Monthly newsletters.
If you and your business are interested.
- Contact the Schaefer Group at Unit 8, 47-49 Frankston Gardens Drive, Carrum Downs or call 03 9770 8880 or email Jim Schaefer on jims@theschaefergroup.com.au
- For more information and full details about TSIC advertising please click here.
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