In the month of May, travel PT professionals can dedicate efforts to spread the word to patients and colleagues about joint health. Millions of people – young and old – suffer from arthritis, which impacts the mobility of your joints and can cause pain and disability. In fact, arthritis is the leading cause of disability in the U.S., according to the Arthritis Foundation. The condition inhibits daily activities, making it a very prevalent issue in physical therapy.
Learning more about arthritis
Arthritis is an umbrella term that describes more than 100 medical conditions and rheumatic diseases. There can be many causes depending on the type of arthritis. On a basic level, here's what occurs: A joint is where one bone moves on another bone, while cartilage covers the bone surface to stop the two bones from rubbing directly against each other. Synovial fluids is in the space within the joint. In many arthritis cases, the cartilage covering wears down, causing patients to suffer from joint pain. Other common types of arthritis may be triggered by a lack of synovial fluid, autoimmunity (your body attacking itself) or infection.
National Football League Hall of Fame quarterback Joe Montana is among the people who deal with arthritis. He has osteoarthritis, the most common type of arthritis, that's caused by wear and tear on joints over time. Other common cases include rheumatoid arthritis and infectious arthritis. Montana has undergone multiple knee surgeries and had aches in his shoulders, hands, elbows and even neck. Due to the constant pressure on knees, hips, elbows and shoulders, many athletes and individuals who work out frequently are prone to arthritis. But that doesn't mean they know it.
After years of playing, Montana and former professional athletes may come down with joint problems, and be forced to reevaluate lifestyle choices.That's why it's important for those on travel therapy jobs to talk with their patients about prevention and treatment of arthritis.
"As athletes, you might have a little arthritis in your shoulder or a little in your knee," Montana, who helped create a football game app called Throw the Joe, where all proceeds benefit the Arthritis Foundation, told Health.
Travel physical therapy professionals should urge patients not to ignore those aches or pains in joints. While most times they come from temporary causes, joint aches can also be a sign of arthritis. Arthritis affects 1 out of 5 adults and 300,000 children, according to Arthritis Foundation. The condition can affect almost every area of a patient's life, from his or her ability to pick up things to throwing a football to writing and walking.
Don't get fooled by the myths
There are several common myths about arthritis that those on travel physical therapy jobs should help dispel. The first myth is that arthritis only affects seniors. The condition does not discriminate – take juvenile arthritis for example, an autoimmune disease that occurs in children.
Another widespread falsehood, according to Health magazine, is that people with arthritis should avoid exercise. The Arthritis Foundation suggests walking or doing water workouts. Resistance training using workout bands and light muscle exercises can be extremely useful, since when the muscles are strong, it takes pressure off of joints. Patients might want to consider even simple exercises such as hamstring and calf stretches, or weightlifting with something like a 16-ounce soup can.
As you're no doubt aware, the Baby Boomer population is reaching retirement age. That means the population of those with arthritis in the U.S. is increasing, with 67 million Americans – many of them boomers – expected to have arthritis by 2030. Extinguish the myth that joint health is not a serious problem.
In May and throughout the year, help patients overcome the issue of arthritis.