Living with rheumatoid arthritis can be easier in Kalamazoo, MI

According to a 2015 data map released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 27% of Michigan residents had some form of arthritis. This means it’s not surprising that many residents of Kalamazoo, Michigan, are suffering from rheumatoid arthritis. There are two issues you may be facing when living with rheumatoid arthritis. However, there are also treatment options that can make living with this condition much easier. 

1.   Pain

Pain is the most common symptom of any type of arthritis, and it’s one of the issues that can make living with rheumatoid arthritis difficult. The pain of this condition is the result of an autoimmune response by your body. This means that your immune system mistakenly attacks the lining of your joints. These attacks lead to inflammation in the joints, and the inflammation leads to symptoms like pain, reduced range of motion and decreased joint mobility. 

In its early stages, this condition tends to cause pain in the small joints in your fingers and toes. The pain then typically moves into larger joints like the knees, elbows and hips. Also, the pain caused by rheumatoid arthritis tends to suddenly get worse known as a flare-up. These flare-ups are usually followed by periods of remission where the pain is less or disappears altogether. 

2.   Reduced ability to do normal daily activities

Predominantly, rheumatoid arthritis can make it harder to do normal activities. This is especially true when you’re dealing with a flare-up. For instance, the pain of this condition can make walking to the bathroom feel as tough as running a marathon. People with this condition can also have difficulty standing up to cook dinner, and rheumatoid arthritis symptoms can make reaching for a can on a high shelf a task that’s too hard to contemplate.  

Living with rheumatoid arthritis can be easier with help from Armor Physical Therapy in Kalamazoo, MI

Physical therapy has been shown to help treat the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, and you can find effective physical therapy for this condition at Armor Physical Therapy’s Kalamazoo clinic. Our team can perform an initial screening to determine which symptoms you’re dealing with. Then, we can create a personalized treatment plan for you that may include therapy methods like: 

• Manual therapy
• Therapeutic exercises
• Redcord^® suspension therapy
• Electrical stimulation

Take the next step to find relief from your rheumatoid arthritis symptoms. Contact us today for more information or to schedule an initial appointment.