Arthritis Pain
There are over 100 different types of Arthritis! Of these, the most common types seen in our practice are Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis.
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis (OA) is your typical bone- on- bone arthritis which develops as a result of trauma/injury, wear and tear, or the genetic result of poor structural alignment over time, ie flat feet or high arches. OA wears down the smooth hyaline cartilage covering your joints creating pain and stiffness. Folks who have osteoarthritis or OA do better moving these joints and get worse with prolonged rest. OA typically involves singular joints which have experienced injury as opposed to Rheumatoid Arthritis which involves both sides of the body in multiple joints! Remember…. Motion is Lotion!
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease process, typically diagnosed with blood work after patients complain of multiple joints being painful, often red, hot and swollen. RA usually involves the smaller joints of the feet/ankle and wrists/hands before moving upchain to the larger joints. As a systemic disease process, it can also involve organs. As an autoimmune disease, the body attacks the synovium of the joints creating a great deal of inflammation and joint deformity. As opposed to OA, when in a RA flare-up, the best thing to do is REST, rather than movement until the flare up subsides.
Conservative, Cost-Effective, No Side Effects: Many folks reach for medications, a series of injections etc. which do not have proven long-term successes and often come with unwanted side effects. Other invasive $$$$ options include stem cell therapy (regenerative medicine) and PRP injections.
“After coming to a knee pain workshop at Hayes Physical Therapy I decided to try their class IV laser treatment. I had been living with chronic knee pain for several years. I had one total knee replacement in 2011, Initially successful until bone spurs grew in that knee and I was back dealing with pain again. Because of this, I decided not to have my other knee replaced which was painful as well.
I saw online that I could try laser and therapy for a potential pain-free life. I doubted that would work however I was wrong. Before having laser therapy my pain levels were 10 out of 10 on both knees bringing me to tears and requiring me to use my walker 3-4 times a week.
After my first session of laser on both knees, I walked out without pain for 4 days, 0 out of 10 pain! Over the course of 10 laser treatments, I have become pain-free and do not need the use of my walker. I am so grateful for Hayes Physical Therapist care, knowledge, treatment, and laser therapy. I am a totally happy client. I have told many people I know about my success in dealing with my painful knees.”
–Klida Shank (above)
Treatment Options
Our treatment options include: Class IV Laser Therapy which offers a safe, non-invasive, all natural approach to pain reduction and healing through a process called photobiomodulation. This in simple terms means introducing light energy through the laser which penetrates the damaged tissue and changes the tissue biology. Laser Therapy stimulates the immune system response to clear the injured area, stimulates your body’s own stem cells, promotes protein and collagen synthesis needed for healthy joints and tendons, releases energy (ADP) and changes the DNA/RNA structure of the joint. Ask us about our inhouse Laser Arthritis Study.
Additionally, patient’s will receive a comprehensive evaluation designed to find the root cause of the arthritic condition with functional corrective exercise designed to realign the body to move better, tips on joint conservation and safe exercise! We want to get you back to doing the things you love without the need for surgery when possible!
Conditions we commonly treat:
- Hip, Knee, Ankle, Foot Arthritis
- Shoulder, Elbow, Wrist and Hand Arthritis
- Arthritis of the Neck and Back
- Stenosis