Advance Physical & Aquatic Therapy

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 Advance Physical & Aquatic Therapy can help you better understand the condition, ensuring you get the relief you need. Call us today to learn more.

Request Appointment

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:

Excess weight
Genetics
Past injury to a joint (particularly a weight-bearing joint)
Jobs that require repetitive squatting, bending, or twisting

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 Advance Physical & Aquatic 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 Advance Physical & Aquatic Therapy can help. Call today to schedule your appointment!

Say Goodbye to Pain – Get Started with PT Now!

Ready to feel your best again? Come back to Advance Physical & Aquatic Therapy and let us help you achieve your wellness goals—book your appointment today!

Request Appointment

We are THANKFUL for YOU!

This Thanksgiving, everyone at Advance Physical & Aquatic Therapy wants to express how truly grateful we are for our patients. It’s an honor to support you on your journey to better health, and we take pride in being your trusted “PT for Life.” Your dedication, resilience, and trust inspire us every day, and we’re thankful for the opportunity to help you move, recover, and thrive—today and always.

Follow Us on Instagram!

Stay connected with Advance Physical & Aquatic Therapy! Follow us on Instagram for wellness tips, exercise ideas, and a behind-the-scenes look at our team in action. Don’t miss out! ✨

Click Here to Follow Us on Instagram

Hosting Thanksgiving Dinner? Manage Stress with These Tips

We love Thanksgiving at Advance Physical & Aquatic Therapy. It’s a time to gather with friends and family, enjoy a great meal, and give thanks for all of the year’s blessings. But we also know the big day can be stressful—especially if you’re hosting.

Here are a few simple tips to stay happy and healthy this Thanksgiving:

Try some deep breathing exercises. In the thick of cooking five different side dishes and feeling overwhelmed? Try box breathing, a simple technique in which you slowly breathe in and out for 3-4 counts.
Fix a balanced plate. Rather than stressing about overindulging, just make sure to add some green veggies to your plate alongside the cornbread stuffing and fried turkey.
Don’t forget your post-meal walk. If you prepped dinner, let someone else take care of the dishes while you take a relaxing stroll around the neighborhood. Relax–you earned it!

Join us today here at Advance Physical & Aquatic Therapy for Wellness Yoga with Jen!

Jen will be hosting Yoga classes here in our Springfield clinic on Thursday nights at 7:15pm for all levels…no experience necessary.

We have 2 payment options:
$40 Per Month or $15 For A Drop In Class
(cash or check ONLY)

Please email Jen – jen@advanceaquaticpt.com or call our main number (610)544-8500 to sign up today

*If you decide to do a drop in class please give 24/48 hour notice to sign up*

Click Here to Email Jen About Yoga at APAT!

Exercise of the Month

SQUATS

Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and arms extended in front of you for balance. Slowly bend your knees and lower your hips as if sitting back into a chair, keeping your chest lifted and knees behind your toes. Push through your heels to return to standing.
3 Sets, 10 Reps.

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 Advance Physical & Aquatic 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!

Patient Success

“Had a wonderful time at PT with Cali and Kathleen. Two very knowledgeable therapists! They answered all of my questions and made sure I was doing every move accurately. Thank you!”
-5 Star Review

We Want To Hear Your Success Story!

Has Advance Physical & Aquatic Therapy helped you live a better life? Let others know how much we can help them too! Click the button to leave us a Google review—your feedback helps others find the care they need!

Leave Your Review Here!

Thank you for subscribing to
Advance Physical & Aquatic Therapy

Refer a Friend

Our purpose at Advance Physical & Aquatic Therapy is to leave a greater impact on the community around us. In order to achieve our goal we want to change as many lives as possible as we become a beacon of positivity in our community.

Click Here to Refer a Friend!