May is National Arthritis Awareness Month. As therapy providers, we know how important exercise is in the fight against the pain of arthritis. The lack of exercise can lead to muscles around the joints to begin to deteriorate. This in turn causes more pain for the arthritis sufferer. Staying active on a daily basis will preserve strength and joint mobility.
As therapists, our goal is to focus on helping arthritis patients keep mobile. Working with a therapist is a good idea at any stage of arthritis. Studies consistently support the usefulness of an evaluation by a physical or occupational therapist and instruction in appropriate exercise to reduce pain and improve function. Early in the course of arthritis, our therapists can asses and document on where you are in terms of function, strength and fitness. In moderate to advanced stages of arthritis, we can help you keep or increase the strength and flexibility you have. Our therapists will also provide an exercise plan designed to maximize your chances of avoiding joint problems as the disease progresses.
Our therapists help patients keep doing things they are used to doing every day. They can assess your ability to perform the activities of daily living. If activities, like dressing; cooking or bathing; become more difficult or painful, our therapists can provide solutions or recommend assistive devices. We can see where you are wasting energy or time doing your daily activities, including where you are stressing your joints unnecessarily. Essentially, we can teach you a better and easier way to accomplish these tasks. We can also provide custom splinting for your upper extremities through our Advanced Hand Rehab division.
If you are suffering or know someone who has osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis, send them over to Advanced Physical Therapy Center for a free consultation. Therapy enables people of all ages and abilities to keep active, be independent and continue enjoying everyday life. 
Advanced Physical Therapy Center 