Arthritis

The sun is out. It seems to be a good day to dig up some soil and add some tomatoes in your vegetable garden. And so you change in your dirty trousers and grab onto your shovel, and all of the sudden—ouch! Your arthritis is taking over your knees. Good-bye, gardening.

It’s easy to dismiss arthritic pain when your Panadol is within reach. But it can’t always be your quick-fix solution. And the solution usually lies on what you do WHILE THERE’S NO PAIN.

What many people miss out are ways to reduce the occurrence of—and possibly, eliminate—pain, such as myofascial release, specific muscle strengthening, relaxation techniques and a lot more!

Physical therapists come last in the list of healthcare provider to call to when people think about arthritis. When really, PTs should come first! Only your PT can give you the relief you so much deserve, without either damaging your kidneys (meds cause kidney damage—oh, no!) or going under the blade (surgical joint replacement is being recommended for severe arthritis—yikes!).

So the next time you feel those knees keeping you from tending those tomatoes, dial your physical therapist FIRST and get some serious work done!

- Bryan Rivera, PT