Arthritis & Joint Pain
Arthritis causes joint pain and stiffness, most often from osteoarthritis, the wear-and-tear kind, in the knees, hips, hands and spine. The right exercise does not wear a joint out faster; it is one of the most useful things you can do for it. Elevate615 treats arthritis and joint pain in Franklin, Brentwood and Nashville with guided exercise, strength work and hands-on care.
Osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and where physical therapy fits
Both cause stiff, sore joints. They are different conditions and your doctor makes the diagnosis, but a physical therapist helps you move and load the joints well in either case.
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is the wear-and-tear kind and the usual cause of knee arthritis and hip arthritis. It also shows up in the hands and the spine. Pain and stiffness often build slowly and ease once you warm up.
Rheumatoid arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis is an inflammatory condition in which the immune system irritates the joints, often on both sides of the body. Rheumatoid arthritis physical therapy sits alongside your doctor’s medical care: we help with strength, mobility and pacing your activity around flares.
Why exercise helps arthritis instead of wearing the joint out
A scan or a report that says “bone on bone” does not always match how much a joint hurts or how well it can work. A joint is built to be used. Moving it feeds the joint, and strong muscles around it take load off it. The dose matters, which is why arthritis exercise is built for you rather than copied from a handout.
Joint aches and stiffness also become more common around menopause, when strength work matters more. Our women’s health care covers that stage of life.
Arthritis in the knee, hip, hand and spine
Knee arthritis
Stairs, getting up from a chair and the first steps after sitting are typical trouble spots. We build thigh and hip strength and work on how you walk. See knee pain.
Hip arthritis
Pain in the groin or outer hip and a stiff hip that makes socks and shoes a chore. We work on hip motion and strength. See hip pain.
Hand and thumb arthritis
Stiff, achy fingers and thumbs make gripping and fine tasks harder. We work on mobility and grip strength so everyday tasks feel easier.
How we treat joint pain at Elevate615
Exercise and strength
- Therapeutic exercise and progressive strength loading
- Weight-bearing work chosen for your joints
- A home program that you can actually follow
Hands-on care
- Manual therapy and joint mobilization for stiff joints
- Walking and movement retraining when a joint changes how you move
When a joint is irritated
- Class IV laser for arthritis and joint irritation
- Dry needling for tight muscles around a sore joint
- Staying strong for the long run with the Longevity program
Putting off a joint replacement, and getting ready for one
Many people search for ways to avoid knee replacement or to put off a hip replacement. Strong muscles and a joint that moves well can help some people delay surgery, and no one can promise that outcome. If surgery turns out to be the right call, getting stronger beforehand (prehab) can make recovery smoother. Our fitness assessment includes pre-surgical fitness work, and rehab after the operation is on post-surgical rehab.
Everyday changes that take pressure off sore joints
Small changes in daily activity add up.
- Break up long stretches of sitting with a short walk
- Spread heavy tasks across the day instead of one big push
- Choose low-impact activity you enjoy, and add time and load slowly
- Keep strength work in your week, because strong muscles share the load with the joint
See a doctor promptly if you have
Ordinary arthritis flares are not an emergency, but these signs are.
- A joint that is suddenly hot, red and swollen
- Joint pain together with a fever
- A joint that cannot bear weight or looks out of shape after a fall
You do not need a physician referral to start physical therapy at Elevate615: Tennessee allows direct access. If longer care later needs a physician involved, we coordinate with them.
Arthritis and joint pain care in Franklin, Brentwood and Nashville
Elevate615 treats arthritis and joint pain at our Franklin clinic in Cool Springs, and we also see patients at our Brentwood and Nashville clinics.
You do not need a physician referral to start physical therapy at Elevate615: Tennessee allows direct access. If longer care later needs a physician involved, we coordinate with them.
Meet the people who treat you on our team page.