Arthritis Treatment

Arthritis Treatment Dhaka | Physiotherapy for Joint Pain & Stiffness - AdvanCell

Arthritis is not a single disease, but an umbrella term encompassing over 100 different conditions that cause pain, stiffness, and inflammation in your joints. Whether it's the persistent ache of osteoarthritis, the widespread inflammation of rheumatoid arthritis, or other forms of joint discomfort, arthritis can significantly limit your mobility, impact your daily activities, and diminish your overall quality of life. The challenges of chronic pain and reduced function can feel overwhelming, but effective management is possible.

At AdvanCell in Dhaka, we understand the complexities of living with arthritis. Our specialized physiotherapy programs are designed to provide comprehensive, evidence-based care that complements your medical management. We focus on reducing your pain, controlling inflammation, preserving joint function, improving mobility, and empowering you with the tools to live more actively and comfortably.

What is Arthritis? Understanding Joint Inflammation

Arthritis literally means "joint inflammation." It affects joints, the tissues surrounding joints, and other connective tissues. The most common forms include:

• Osteoarthritis (OA): Often called "wear-and-tear" arthritis. It's a degenerative joint disease where the cartilage that cushions the ends of your bones gradually wears away. This leads to bone rubbing on bone, causing pain, stiffness, swelling, and reduced flexibility. It commonly affects the knees, hips, spine, and hands.

• Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA): An autoimmune disease where the body's immune system mistakenly attacks the lining of the joints (synovium). This causes widespread inflammation, pain, swelling, warmth, and redness, often affecting smaller joints (hands, feet) symmetrically. If untreated, it can lead to joint deformity.

• Other Forms: While less common, physiotherapy also plays a role in managing symptoms of other arthritic conditions like:

• Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS): Primarily affecting the spine.

• Psoriatic Arthritis: Associated with psoriasis.

• Gout: Caused by uric acid crystal buildup, leading to sudden, severe joint pain attacks.

Regardless of the type, arthritis significantly impacts your ability to move, perform daily tasks, and enjoy activities, making effective management crucial.

Who Benefits from Our Arthritis Management Programs? Do You Need Help?

Physiotherapy is a cornerstone of arthritis management, playing a vital role in symptom control, functional improvement, and long-term joint health. You could significantly benefit from our specialized programs if you are experiencing:

• Persistent joint pain, stiffness, swelling, or tenderness.

• Morning stiffness that lasts for more than 30 minutes.

• Reduced range of motion in your joints, making daily activities difficult.

• A formal diagnosis of Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Ankylosing Spondylitis, or another form of arthritis.

• Seeking non-pharmacological methods to reduce pain and inflammation.

• Looking to improve your joint's strength, flexibility, and overall function.

• Aiming to prevent or slow down the progression of joint damage and deformities.

• Undergoing rehabilitation after joint replacement surgery (e.g., knee or hip replacement).

• Desiring to improve your energy levels and overall quality of life despite a chronic condition.

AdvanCell's Approach to Arthritis Management

At AdvanCell, we understand that managing arthritis requires a holistic, patient-centered, and often long-term strategy. Our expert physiotherapists work in close collaboration with your physician or rheumatologist to provide comprehensive care focused on:

• Accurate Assessment: Identifying which joints are affected, the specific type of arthritis, and how it impacts your function.

• Pain & Inflammation Control: Utilizing effective therapies to reduce discomfort and swelling during flare-ups and chronic phases.

• Joint Preservation: Implementing strategies to protect your joints, maintain mobility, and slow disease progression.

• Strength & Flexibility Enhancement: Building muscle support around your joints and improving range of motion.

• Functional Independence: Empowering you with techniques and adaptations for daily living.

• Education & Self-Management: Providing you with the knowledge and tools to manage your condition effectively at home.

How We Help: Our Arthritis Management Programs Include

Our comprehensive physiotherapy programs for arthritis are carefully tailored to your specific condition, symptoms, and functional goals:

1. Comprehensive Assessment & Collaboration:

• Detailed History: Understanding your pain patterns, disease activity (for inflammatory arthritis), medication, and how arthritis impacts your daily life.

• Physical Examination: Thorough assessment of affected joints including range of motion, swelling, tenderness, muscle strength, posture, and functional limitations.

• Collaboration: We work closely with your referring physician or rheumatologist, reviewing medical reports, imaging (X-rays), and blood tests to ensure a cohesive and integrated treatment plan.

2. Pain & Inflammation Management:

• Therapeutic Modalities:

• Laser Therapy (LLLT/PBMT): For targeted reduction of inflammation and cellular healing in affected joints and surrounding tissues, providing significant pain relief.

• Ultrasound Therapy: Delivers deep heat and mechanical effects to reduce pain, muscle spasm, and improve tissue extensibility.

• IFT (Interferential Therapy) & TENS (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation): Electrical stimulation for effective pain control and muscle relaxation, particularly useful during acute flare-ups.

• Hot & Cold Therapy: Strategic application of heat (for stiffness, chronic pain) and cold (for acute inflammation, swelling) to manage symptoms.

• Gentle Manual Therapy: Soft tissue massage to reduce muscle guarding and spasm around painful joints, and gentle joint mobilization techniques (especially for OA) to maintain or improve joint play, always avoiding excessive force or pain.

• Dry Needling / Wet Needling (Trigger Point Injections): For specific, stubborn myofascial trigger points that often develop in muscles compensating for painful arthritic joints.

3. Therapeutic Exercise & Functional Improvement (The Cornerstone of Management):

• Joint Protection Strategies: Education on how to use your joints efficiently and safely in daily activities, minimizing stress and preventing further damage (e.g., using larger joints, avoiding prolonged positions).

• Range of Motion & Flexibility Exercises: Gentle, consistent exercises to maintain and improve joint mobility, combat stiffness, and prevent contractures or deformities.

• Progressive Strengthening Exercises: Building muscle strength around your joints to provide better support, improve stability, and enhance functional capacity. These are often low-impact and carefully prescribed to avoid joint irritation.

• Balance & Proprioception Training: To improve stability, reduce fall risk, and enhance joint awareness, especially important for hip, knee, and ankle arthritis.

• Low-Impact Aerobic Exercise: Activities like walking, swimming, cycling, or using an elliptical machine to improve cardiovascular health, reduce fatigue, manage weight, and enhance overall well-being without excessive joint stress.

• Functional Training: Exercises designed to improve your ability to perform everyday tasks such as standing, walking, reaching, lifting, and dressing.

4. Assistive Devices & Orthotics:

• Recommendations for appropriate splints, braces, or adaptive equipment (e.g., walking aids, jar openers) to support painful joints, prevent deformity, or assist with daily activities.

• Guidance on choosing supportive footwear or custom orthotics for foot and ankle arthritis.

5. Patient Education & Self-Management:

• In-depth understanding of your specific type of arthritis, recognizing flare-up signs, and strategies for managing symptoms at home.

• Pain Coping Strategies: Learning methods to effectively manage chronic pain and improve emotional well-being.

• Energy Conservation Techniques: Strategies to pace activities and manage fatigue, crucial for inflammatory arthritis.

• Advice on Lifestyle Modifications including weight management (reduces joint load), anti-inflammatory diet principles, adequate sleep, and stress reduction.

Common Arthritis Types We Manage with Physiotherapy:

• Osteoarthritis (OA): Our programs significantly reduce pain, improve joint mobility, strengthen surrounding muscles, and provide joint protection strategies.

• Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA): We help manage pain and stiffness, preserve joint function, prevent deformities, and maintain mobility throughout different disease activity levels.

• Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS): Focus on maintaining spinal mobility, reducing stiffness, improving posture, and increasing overall function.

• Psoriatic Arthritis: Addressing joint pain and stiffness with similar strategies to RA/OA management.

• Gout (in between flares): Helping to restore joint mobility and function after acute attacks, and prevent chronic stiffness.

• Post-Joint Replacement Rehabilitation: Crucial and specialized programs to help you regain full strength, mobility, and function after knee, hip, or shoulder replacement surgery.

Benefits of Physiotherapy for Arthritis at AdvanCell:

• Significant Pain Reduction: Through targeted therapies and controlled movement.

• Improved Joint Mobility & Flexibility: Combat stiffness and maintain or regain range of motion.

• Increased Strength & Endurance: Enhance muscle support around joints and improve overall physical capacity.

• Enhanced Functional Ability & Independence: Perform daily tasks with greater ease and confidence.

• Slower Disease Progression & Damage: Proactive management helps preserve joint integrity and minimize deformity.

• Improved Quality of Life: Reduce the impact of chronic pain on your mood, sleep, and social life.

• Reduced Medication Reliance (in some cases): As pain management improves through therapeutic interventions.

• Empowerment through Education: Gain control over your condition with effective self-management strategies.

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