Arthritis Pain Relief

Arthritis Pain Relief

"This is a huge life changing benefit to me."

After years of increasing knee pain and a trip to the doctor, I was diagnosed with Osteoarthritis. Over 18 months of patient instruction (including many virtual appointments during the pandemic) I can once more enjoy running and skiing and I am pain-free for the majority of the time.

- Toby R.

"I can now spend a few hours a day pain-free"

Jeffrey Belgue, my chiropractor, led the GLA:D program and helped our small group master the dozen or so exercises needed to build strength and flexibility. I can now spend a few hours a day pain-free and forget about OA… and I am looking forward to hiking again

- Andre P.

HAVE YOU BEEN LIVING WITH ARTHRITIS?

FIND THE RELIEF YOU’VE BEEN LOOKING FOR

Have you woken up with stiff joints that make it hard to get around in the morning? Even if they may become less painful as the day goes on, you may still be experiencing early-onset arthritis.

Arthritis is a common condition that many people develop; however, many people deal with their painful joints for far too long before seeking professional help.

Fortunately, physiotherapy is a non-surgical treatment option that can be used to treat arthritis pain.

At PhysioPlus Health Group,  we have highly trained physiotherapists who can provide you with treatment and gentle exercises to help fight that loss of motion,  increase your flexibility, and improve the overall function in the affected joint(s).

They can also evaluate which joints are stiff and painful, and assess which motion exercises will help to relieve the chronic pain of arthritis during your everyday tasks.

Treatment doesn’t stop there: our therapists will provide you with the resources and knowledge you need to prevent arthritis-related injuries in the future.

If you are suffering from arthritis, or if you think you may have arthritic symptoms, schedule an appointment with PhysioPlus Health Group today.

WHAT IS ARTHRITIS?

Arthritis is a condition that affects our joints and causes pain and inflammation. There are over 100 different types of arthritis. However, the two most common types of arthritis are Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis.

The most common of these 2 types is osteoarthritis, and this is caused by the gradual wearing down of cartilage in the joints. This can happen as a result of the normal wear and tear we put on our knees, but it can also develop due to a previous injury, or from repetitive use of the affected joint. As our cartilage wears down, it can no longer function as a strong cushion and shock absorber for the joints, resulting in bone-on-bone pressure and painful inflammation.

Do you have either of these types of arthritis?

According to the Arthritis Foundation, there are over 50 million people with Arthritis and it is currently the leading cause of disability across the nation.

Arthritis causes pain and joint inflammation, and it can affect one or multiple joints at once. Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are the two most commonly experienced types of:

Osteoarthritis

Chiroprator Dr. Jeff Belgue treating a patient with knee pain.

Osteoarthritis is typically easy to diagnose, as it is the most common type of arthritis. It occurs when the cartilage of the joint wears down, either due to age or overuse.

This causes chronic arthritis pain in the joint. The cartilage loss contributes the cartilage no longer acting as the thick cushion that it once was. Without a cushion, the bones grind together, which in turn causes joint inflammation.

Osteoarthritis can be caused by a sudden injury to the joint, or it can develop after a previous injury has fully healed.

Let’s say you played football and received a rough blow to your knee. You probably received medical treatment, recovered, and returned to the game thinking all was well again with your body.

Although the injury healed, there is a possibility that the damage that occurred to the cartilage or surrounding muscles has resulted in a decrease of support to the joint. The motion of the joint may also have slightly been altered. Therefore, it is still possible for you to develop osteoarthritis from that injury later in life.

This also applies to those who work jobs that require repetitive motion or cause the overuse of specific body parts. For example, say you are a construction worker. If you swing a hammer in repetitive motions as a crucial part of your job, you may develop osteoarthritis in the joints of your elbows or hands.

Being overweight may also put you at a higher risk for developing osteoarthritis, as it adds additional strain to your knee and hip joints.

Rheumatoid arthritis

Researchers have come to believe that a person’s medical history, environment, and hormones could all be contributing factors toward the development of rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis develops as an autoimmune response, meaning that the immune system sees the joints as a threat and decides to attack them.

This type of arthritis pain is also referred to as “inflammatory arthritis,” and is also fairly common. Because it is an autoimmune condition, it is common for it to affect the same joints on different sides of the body.

This condition is typically more prevalent in females than males as well. Those suffering from arthritis typically report soreness around joints, which is worse after prolonged sitting, standing, or inactivity.

If you have rheumatoid arthritis, you may notice that pain can get worse when you move, for example, bending over at the knees to pick something up may be uncomfortable for you.

You may notice popping or clicking sounds in the affected joint(s) with movement, and the joint may be sensitive or painful to the touch, and can also cause severe pain when you exercise or work, and the pain may go away after you stop doing that activity.

WHAT ARE THE CAUSES OF ARTHRITIS?

There are many reasons why hip and knee pain can occur in our patients. An unbalanced posture or gait can cause abnormal stress and wear and tear in your hips and knees, resulting in painful symptoms of arthritis

Arthritis can develop over time from the normal wear and tear we put on our joints over the years from our work, sports or activities we do day-to-day.  

A previous injury can also make you more susceptible to developing arthritis in the affected joint at some point in the future.

A physiotherapist or chiropractor can help you understand the reason behind why you’ve developed arthritis, and create a plan that will help reduce your pain, improve your mobility and get you back to doing the activities you want to do. 

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF ARTHRITIS?

Does any of this sound familiar?

  • Your knee feels stiff especially when you first wake up in the morning
  • Your knee is painful all over
  • Your knee is swollen after activity
  • Your knee cracks, pops and makes other sounds when you bend or straighten it
  • Sometimes your knees feels like it locks or is going to give out on you

If it does… your knee pain may be due to Osteoarthritis, aka Arthritis

Knee arthritis is a condition where the cartilage and other tissues in your knee joint start to break down or “wear out” can cause pain, swelling and decreased range of motion over time. 

Unfortunately, knee arthritis can also start to impact your daily life making it harder to do things you like to do. Although the cornerstones of knee arthritis treatment are exercise and physiotherapy, knee bracing may also help you get back to doing the things you love pain free!

HOW IS ARTHRITIS DIAGNOSED?

Diagnosing arthritis is like solving a puzzle to understand what’s happening in your joints. When you go to your doctor, physiotherapist or chiropractor, they will carefully examine your joints, moving them gently to see if they’re stiff or swollen, and looking for other signs of arthritis. They’ll ask you about any past injuries, your family’s health history, and how your symptoms have been changing. This helps them figure out the kind of arthritis you might have and what might be causing it.

Although imaging (ie. Xrays, ultrasound or MRIs) are not necessary to confirm a diagnosis of osteoarthritis, they might ask for imaging or blood tests to rule out any other types of arthritis or other medical conditions that might be causing your symptoms. This can also help them understand if there’s any damage to your joints and how bad it might be. By putting all these pieces of information together, your doctor, physiotherapist or chiropractor can confirm if you have arthritis and create a plan to help you feel better.

WHAT IS THE BEST TREATMENT FOR ARTHRITIS?

When it comes to non-surgical management of knee osteoarthritis, physiotherapy is one of your best bets to easing your knee pain. It’s highly recommended to try conservative management before surgery, as surgery is invasive and might not be necessary for you to live the life you want.

At PhysioPlus Health Group, there is rarely a day we don’t see a patient with knee osteoarthritis. You will find our physiotherapists are experts in providing you with treatment,  lifestyle recommendations and exercise programs to help reduce your knee pain. 

Your initial assessment will include a comprehensive look at how you live your life, how your knee pain is impacting it, and what your personal goals are. Together, you and the physiotherapist will develop a realistic plan to manage your knee pain and achieve your goals.

HOW CAN PHYSIOTHERAPY AND CHIROPRACTIC TREATMENT HELP WITH MY HIP AND KNEE PAIN?

You don’t have to let the pain in your hips and knees slow you down. If you have been Googling  “Hip and Knee Pain Toronto’, then look no further because we can help you!. Our Physiotherapy treatment at PhysioPlus Health Group can help reduce (and even eliminate) the arthritis pain in your hips and knees. And on top of that, this can end up keeping you from going through painful surgery!

At your first appointment, one of our physiotherapists or chiropractors will examine your hip and/or knee for signs of misalignment or structural damage, in addition to examining your stance, posture, gait, range of motion, and loss of flexibility.

After you have completed your physical exam, you will prescribe a treatment to improve joint function and relieve unnatural stress and strains.They will also focus on improving your overall joint function to relieve your pain during repetitive movements so that you can get back to living comfortably or get back to that active lifestyle.

How can a physiotherapist help with my arthritis?

Exercise-based recovery through physiotherapy helps to restore the typical movement of your joints, improve muscle strength, and improve the way you walk, run, twist, and move.

Physiotherapy can even help you avoid the need for surgery, avoid steroid injections, and avoid harmful, possibly addicting oral medications in many cases.

Our treatments are tailored to your specific needs to help you recover quickly and achieve a more permanent outcome. We also teach you ways to prevent future joint injuries, and what you can do with proper therapeutic exercises on your own and again avoid a reliance on over-the-counter pain relievers.

If you’re suffering from arthritis, or if you think you might be, you could benefit greatly from our Bloor West Village and Kingsway physiotherapy & chiropractic services.

ARE THERE EXERCISES THAT CAN HELP RELIEVE ARTHRITIS PAIN?

There are many proven exercises that can help relieve your arthritis pain! You can do these exercises in the clinic, at home or in a group class known as the GLA:D program for arthritis. Your chiropractor or physiotherapist will supervise each session, and they will customize or modify each exercise to ensure that it is the right level of difficulty for you!

CAN KNEE BRACING HELP WITH ARTHRITIS PAIN?

Physiotherapist treating a brace patient

Knee bracing can be extremely helpful when living with knee osteoarthritis. Unloader braces for arthritis have in fact been proven to reduce pain, improve your function and reduce or delay the need for surgery.

It can be an effective addition to your physiotherapy exercise program that can help you get even greater improvements in your pain and function/If knee Osteoarthritis is stopping you from doing the things you love, and are wondering if a custom unloader brace can help you, make sure a book an assessment with a registered physiotherapist at PhysioHealthPlus today!

Have you tried our GLA:D Program for Hip and Knee Arthritis?

Hip and Knee Pain Program PhysioPlus Health

At PhysioPlus we offer a great resource to our patients called The GLA:D program. ( Good Life with osteoArthritis: Denmark).

The GLA:D program is an effective and proven, 8-week education and exercise program that teaches you how to control your movement and improve your strength.  

Family doctors and specialists are recommending that people with hip and knee arthritis pain join the GLA:D program because it teaches you how to control your movement and improve your strength.  

The goal of the GLA:D program is to help you get stronger and move more freely so that everyday tasks can be easier and so you can do the things you want to do.

DON’T LET ARTHRITIS LIMIT YOU ANY LONGER!

 If you are suffering from arthritis, or if you think you may have arthritic symptoms, schedule an appointment with PhysioPlus Health Group today.

We treat all of our patients with the highest level of care, compassion, and understanding. You can rest assured that your symptoms and concerns will be taken into account as your customized treatment plan is designed for you.

QUESTIONS?

Choosing the right physiotherapist can be a big decision. We’re dedicated to answering any questions you have to help you make the best choice. Contact us today and ask us anything!

(416) 760-8280

FIND THE RELIEF
YOU'VE BEEN LOOKING FOR

MEET OUR THERAPISTS

Michelle DeMarchi

Registered Physiotherapist, Osteopathic Manual Practitioner

Sarah DeBoer

Registered Physiotherapist (FCAMPT)

Jennifer McConvey

Registered Physiotherapist, Certified Vestibular Physiotherapist

Lauren Kanko

Registered Physiotherapist

Lauren Rimmer

Registered Physiotherapist

Demetria Correia

Registered Physiotherapist

Martin Petkov

Registered Physiotherapist

Jonathan Yeung

Registered Massage Therapist

Kimberly Borges

Registered Massage Therapist

Pari Hosseini

Certified Pilates Instructor, BA

Monica Söderström

Certified Stott Pilates Instructor

Sheila Hosseini

Certified Pilates Instructor

Denise Ho

Yoga Instructor

Dr. Jeff Belgue

Registered Chiropractor

Erica Runnalls

Osteopathic Manual Practitioner

Jasman Shokar

Community Outreach Coordinator

Angeli Danica Gayo

Marketing Coordinator

Shirley Zabol

Naturopathic Doctor

Brandon Maggen

Registered Chiropodist

Dr. Emily Tam

Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Specialist (Physiatrist)

Dr. Daniel Warshafsky

Sports Medicine Physician

Dr. Duong Nguyen

Orthopaedic Surgeon

FAQs

What is the main cause of arthritis?

Normal wear and tear on the cartilage from  day-to-day activities and sports causes osteoarthritis, one of the most common forms of arthritis. It typically affects people over 45 years of age, but an injury can lead to arthritis developing earlier.   

Can arthritis be cured?

Arthritis cannot be cured, but an effective arthritis treatment plan can help you manage your symptoms so you can move better and get back to the activities you want to do. The goals of arthritis treatment are to control pain and other symptoms, minimize joint damage, slow the progression and maintain or improve strength, mobility and function.

What are some signs of Arthritis?