Why Osteoarthritis Is Such a Pain–And How Physical Therapy Can Help
Persistent joint pain can severely hamper your lifestyle. One of the more common causes of persistent and chronic joint pain, particularly among older people, is osteoarthritis, a degenerative condition that causes joint inflammation.
People with osteoarthritis (OA) will struggle with pain and stiffness in the affected joints, making it difficult to live the type of active lifestyle that could help them manage their symptoms. If you’ve been diagnosed with OA, the physical therapists at ProAction Physical Therapy can help you better understand the condition, ensuring you get the relief you need. Call us today to learn more.
What Is Osteoarthritis? Examining the Causes and Risk Factors
Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis in the world, affecting around 3.5% of the global population–and nearly 32.5 million Americans. Its primary symptoms are joint pain and immobility; if left unaddressed, it can profoundly impact your overall quality of life.
But how do you address OA, a condition with no current cure? We can start by looking at what causes the joint inflammation. The joints in your body contain two materials that help protect the bones:
- Cartilage, a flexible tissue that acts as a shock absorber and prevents the bones in a joint from rubbing against each other
- Synovial fluid, a substance that lubricates your joint whenever you move
Osteoarthritis occurs when these materials degenerate, causing your bones to rub against each other. Without protection from cartilage and synovial fluid, basic joint movements become painful, the joint tissue becomes inflamed, and your range of motion diminishes.
But what causes that degeneration? Researchers aren’t sure, but it’s tied to aging–your risk of developing osteoarthritis increases as you get older. Around 80% of people over 65 have radiographic evidence of osteoarthritis in their joints, although not all of them experience symptoms.
Certain factors beyond aging can also increase your risk of developing osteoarthritis. Most of these factors contribute to the tissue degeneration that causes OA:
- Genetics
- Past injury to a joint (particularly a weight-bearing joint)
- Jobs that require repetitive squatting, bending, or twisting
- Excess weight
How Do I Know If It’s Osteoarthritis?
There are many reasons someone might experience joint pain beyond osteoarthritis, so it is important to seek out an expert, such as the physical therapists at ProAction Physical Therapy, for a diagnosis. That said, certain types of pain and other symptoms could indicate you’ve developed OA, especially if you’re over 50:
- Pain that flares up during activity but lessens with rest.
- Pain when you press on the joint.
- Joint stiffness, particularly first thing in the morning–it’ll usually ease up after about 30 minutes.
- Cracking, crunching, or creaking noises in the joint (officially known as crepitus–those sounds are the bones rubbing together).
When you visit us for your initial appointment, our therapists will conduct a detailed physical assessment that considers your health history, OA risk factors, and symptoms. We’ll also conduct several movement screens that test your range of motion, strength, and balance, which can help develop the best treatment plan for your needs.
Movement: The Best Medicine for OA
It might sound contradictory, but exercise is crucial in treating and managing osteoarthritis. Your joints want to move, and moving them regularly keeps them healthy and lubricated.
For this reason, physical therapy plays a big role in helping you manage osteoarthritis, especially if you want to avoid surgery. We’ll work closely with you to develop a tailored exercise program that suits your needs and ability levels, focusing on low-impact activities like walking, biking, or swimming.
We can also help with other areas of OA management, such as…
- Providing drug-free pain relief through manual therapy techniques.
- Working with you to improve your joint’s range of motion so you can move more freely.
- Helping you improve your balance and walking patterns. While OA can affect any joint, it’s most common in weight-bearing joints like the hips or knees, which make it difficult for you to move around.
- Educating you on OA and various self-management strategies.
Don’t Let Osteoarthritis Cramp Your Style!
Suspect you may have OA? Recently diagnosed and seeking treatment? The experts at ProAction Physical Therapy can help. Call today to schedule your appointment!
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Getting Ready for Yard Work and Gardening: Take These Steps
- Prep Your Tools: Ensure your garden tools are clean and sharpened.
- Safety Gear: Remember to wear appropriate safety gear like gloves, sunblock, and a wide-brimmed hat to protect yourself.
- Stretch It Out: Begin with gentle stretching exercises to warm up your muscles and prevent injuries.
- Plan Your Tasks: Prioritize tasks by starting with lighter tasks before tackling heavy lifting or digging.
- Proper Posture: Maintain good posture and bend your knees when lifting to prevent back strain.
- Stay Hydrated: Keep a water bottle handy and take breaks, especially on hot days.
- Know Your Limits: Don’t push yourself too hard. Listen to your body and take breaks when needed.
- Mulch and Weed Control: Apply mulch to reduce weeds and moisture loss in the soil, making future yard work easier.
- Proper Lifting: Use your legs when lifting heavy objects and keep the object close to your body to reduce strain.
- Enjoy the Process: Take time to appreciate your efforts and the beauty of your outdoor space.
Skip The Script!
Have you suffered from a recent injury?
Good news! Thanks to Direct Access you can now bypass obtaining a script from your physician and come directly to physical therapy.
Direct Access allows you to visit a physical therapist to seek treatment right away as many conditions can be successfully evaluated and treated without expensive medical tests.
Contact us directly here at ProAction PT
to get started today!
Is Exercising a Challenge? Try these Suggestions!
Everyone knows regular exercise is crucial to good health. Not only can it improve symptoms of osteoarthritis and other types of joint pain, it can lower your risk of developing heart disease and diabetes while boosting your mood.
But what happens if you struggle with mobility? How can you exercise regularly if it’s difficult for you to move at all? You might find some of these suggestions helpful:
- Find something you enjoy. This is the number one suggestion for exercising more. If you find an activity you love doing, you’ll look forward to doing it. Our therapists can help you find that sweet spot of exercises that suit your abilities and your interests.
- Modify your workouts to accommodate your needs. Did you know you can lift weights while sitting in a chair? Or take a heart-healthy walk while using a mobility aid? Our therapists can help you find the modifications that work for you.
- Incorporate exercise into your daily routine. You don’t have to go to the gym to work out. Putting away groceries? Try doing a few bicep curls with your soup cans (and eventually, you may graduate to using your milk jug!). Sweeping the living room? Put on some music, and don’t be afraid to dance as you work.
At ProAction Physical Therapy, we want to help everyone get active in the ways that work for them. Call us today for personalized guidance on what will work best for you!
ProAction Physical Therapy will be proudly sponsoring Manna on Main Street’s Race to End Hunger. Manna on Main Street is a local food pantry, soup kitchen, emergency financial aid and education provider. They are committed to making sure no one goes hungry in our North Penn community, with the vision “everyone might be fed”. Manna’s 15th Annual Race to End Hunger will be held on Saturday, April 25th, 2026 at Knapp Elementary School in Lansdale. Race registration is open!
Service Spotlight:
Ultrasound
HEEL SLIDES LONG SIT
Ultrasound is a specialized physical therapy treatment that uses sound waves to promote healing, relieve pain, and improve daily function. At ProAction Physical Therapy, your therapist will perform a thorough evaluation and design a personalized treatment plan, which may include ultrasound depending on your condition, symptoms, and medical history.
Ultrasound works through both thermal (heat) and non-thermal effects. The thermal energy gently heats deep tissues to reduce pain, improve circulation, and relax tight muscles, while non-thermal effects create microscopic vibrations that support tissue repair and reduce inflammation. It can be used to treat a wide range of conditions, including sprains, strains, tendinitis, arthritis, bursitis, muscle spasms, and more.
If you’re dealing with pain or recovering from an injury, ultrasound therapy may help accelerate healing and get you back to your optimal level of function.
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Refer a Friend
Our purpose at ProAction Physical Therapy is to leave a greater impact on the communities around us. In order to do that, we want to change as many lives as possible and become a beacon of positivity in our communities.
Do you have a friend or family member who could benefit from our pain-relieving services? At ProAction Physical Therapy, we love helping people achieve relief from pain and reach their full potential, thus making a difference in their lives.
If you know someone who could use our help, click the button below to fill out our form and we will send them information about how we may be able to help their condition. Be sure to let them know you referred them so they can thank you!
