It’s a story we hear often: someone finally seeks answers for their lower back pain and receives a discouraging diagnosis. They have osteoarthritis, or even more frightening, something called degenerative disc disease of the spine. The prognosis can be demotivating to people, especially because it’s often presented without a clear path for improving their condition.
In reality, osteoarthritis (OA) and even degenerative disc disease are simply ways of describing changes that have occurred to your joints and spine over time. There are several options for treating the symptoms and seeking physical therapy or occupational therapy to improve your quality of life with osteoarthritis.
What is Osteoarthritis?
There are two main types of arthritis: osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis is caused by the body’s own immune system attacking and degrading the tissues of the joints. Osteoarthritis, on the other hand, is a physical breakdown of the joints that occurs over time. This is part of the reason many osteoarthritis patients are over the age of 50; more years means more wear and tear on most joints.
It’s important to understand that OA is merely a description of a change that has occurred in the body, not a prophecy for what the rest of your life will look like. After a diagnosis of osteoarthritis, there are numerous treatment options for relieving the pain in your lower back, slowing the progression of your symptoms and enjoying the life you want to live without the need for invasive treatments or surgery.
What to Expect from Osteoarthritis Treatment
The first step in finding relief from the everyday pain of lower back OA is to have a conversation with your healthcare provider or a physical therapist about your symptoms and the kind of relief you’re looking for. After hearing your goals and understanding your symptoms, you may be offered a few options for treatment that typically include a combination of physical therapy techniques.
Physical therapy for osteoarthritis treatment will look different for different people, considering the specific source of your pain, severity of the condition and your lifestyle goals. Many treatment plans involve both in-person and at-home exercises, stretches and posture training to improve joint function, strength and flexibility when possible. Hands-on treatment is also a valuable treatment approach that will assist in the relief of pain, and improve overall function. Physical therapy is a long-term improvement plan that your therapist will help you implement for the most sustainable improvement in your symptoms.
An approach that considers reducing pain, improving mobility and flexibility, and strengthening your muscles to further protect your joints through physical therapy and occupational therapy is a successful treatment plan for many people who have osteoarthritis.
At Excel Rehab and Sports, our physical therapists and occupational therapists personalize treatment paths to make long-term recovery a reality for people of all ages, types of arthritis, functional goals and preferences for treatment. We hope to encourage you through any arthritis diagnosis that there are options for you to continue or rediscover the life you want to live.