The document discusses using physical therapy to treat arthritis. It describes the two most common types of arthritis - rheumatoid arthritis, which is an inflammatory condition, and osteoarthritis, which is a degenerative disease. It explains that physical therapy for arthritis focuses on strengthening, stretching, and aerobic exercises to improve joint functioning and reduce pain and stiffness. These exercises help strengthen muscles, increase range of motion, and improve endurance.

1. Treating Arthritis with Physical Therapy
Physiotherapy is considered
as the key element for
rehabilitation of patients with
disablingdiseases which are
either caused due to injuryor
might be genetic.
One of the major disabling
diseases is arthritis. The word
“Arthritis”is mostlyused to
indicate joint pain or joint
disease.There are more than 100 types of arthritis,and effects
people of all ages, genders and races. According
towww.arthritis.org 50 million adults in the United States have
been doctor-diagnosed with some type of arthritis.
Arthritis is a debilitatingdisease that effect of people’s quality of
life. It can seriouslylimit people’s mobility,making them unable to
perform their daily life activities.
TYPES of ARTHRITIS
The most common types we usually hear in our daily life are
Rheumatoid arthritis (also known as inflammatoryarthritis) and
Osteoarthritis (also known as Degenerative arthritis). Let’s have a
look on both of these types.

2. RHEUMATOID
ARTHRITIS
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an
inflammatorycondition of the
joints.It causes severe pain
accompanied by swelling of joints.Research shows that it is an
autoimmune disorder which presents a genetic factor called
“rheumatoidfactor”. This genetic factor runs in families that are
why people having their family members diagnosedwith RA are at
4 time’s greater risk of developing RA.
Rheumatoid arthritis has no specific cause and no cure of this
disease is known till now.
But it can be controlled by slowing down the activity of disease
through medications known as DMARDs (disease modifying anti-
rheumatic drugs) and physical therapy.
OSTEOARTHRITIS
Osteoarthritis (OA) is a
degenerative disease in which
the cartilage inside joints breaks
down and causes severe pain.
This pain prevents the person
from moving their joints
ultimatelyleading to stiffness.
There is no cure of this disease, but its management is possible
through medications for relieving symptoms,lifestyle changes such
as maintaininga healthy weight, and exercises for flexibilityand
mobility.

3. PHYSICAL THERAPY FOR ARTHRITIS
Physiotherapy for arthritis includes exercises that improve the
overall functioningof joints.Both degenerative and inflammatory
arthritis patients get equal benefit from physiotherapy. Some of the
most beneficial exercises are:
 Strengtheningexercises
 stretchingexercises
 aerobic exercises
These three prove to be very
beneficial for arthritis patients.
We also have to keep in mind
that patients have severe pain and wear and tear on their joints
when theymove. Avoiding weight bearingactivities can help
reduce the pain.
1) Strengthening Exercises
Strengtheningexercises increase the strength and tone of muscles
so they can hold the affectedjoints in a stable position.They also
reduce the risk of fall in elderly patients.
2) Stretching Exercises
People having arthritis usually stop doing activities which require a
complete range of motion on their joints.This leads to tightness in
muscles and their length decreases.Stretchingexercises will help to
maintain the muscle range and reduce their stiffness.
3) Aerobic Exercises

4. These are basicallyconditioningexercises which strengthen our
heart and make our lungs work more efficiently.They also reduce
fatigue therebyincrease staminathroughout the day. The best plan
of aerobic exercises for arthritis patients is 50 minutes of moderate-
intensityaerobic exercise per week.