How Physical Therapy Helps Treat Bursitis, Arthritis & Tendonitis 

Benefits of Physical Therapy for Pain Relief & Mobility Issues

If you feel swelling in your joints, there’s a good chance you may have a case of bursitis, arthritis or tendonitis. While common, these are painful inflammatory conditions and generally occur with age, overuse, injury, or trauma. Joints are where the bones in your body meet and allow your skeleton to move freely. Some of the most important joints include the shoulders, elbows, hips and knees. When these areas become affected and reduce your ability to move freely and without pain, physical therapy can help. Understanding the characteristics of each condition will help you and your physical therapist design a suitable care plan to address and treat your symptoms. 

The Benefits of Physical Therapy for Overuse Conditions 

Overuse conditions like bursitis, arthritis and tendonitis can be treated effectively with the help of a licensed physical therapist. A physical therapist will likely recommend that you refrain from participating in activities that add stress to the injured or damaged joint. Once the area is healed, a physical therapist can offer exercise guidelines and restrictions that can help you manage your pain and prevent further damage. 

Here are some of the ways a physical therapist can help relieve your symptoms of bursitis, arthritis or tendonitis:  

  • Reduce Pain and Swelling: If overusing your joints has caused either condition, a physical therapist can help you understand how to modify or avoid activities that put additional strain on the joint. Various treatments and technologies may be used to manage or reduce your pain and swelling including heat and ice therapy, specialized massages or through specific exercises. 
  • Improve Motion and Flexibility: Specific treatments and exercises may be recommended by your physical therapist to improve your flexibility and range of motion. For instance, these may be “passive” motions, whereby your physical therapist gently moves and stretches your joints, which then progress to “active” motions which are stretches and exercise you can do on your own. 
  • Improve Strength and Endurance: A physical therapist can determine if you have weak or injured muscles around your joints. Certain exercises and equipment such as weights and stretch bands can help restore your strength and agility. Additionally, your physical therapist can teach you how to use cardio-exercise equipment such as treadmills or stationary bicycles to help restore your muscular endurance. 
  • Increase Your Activity Levels: Learn strengthening and stretching exercises that you can perform at home. If you do them regularly and as prescribed by your physical therapist, you can speed up your recovery time. Physical therapists also aim to gain an understanding of your activity goals so they can tailor your treatment program to help you reach these goals in a safe and effective way. 
  • Encourage the Healing Process: Physical therapists are trained and experienced in recommending the best treatments and exercises that will help you heal, reach your activity goals and get you back to your normal routine, free from pain.  

If you live in Philadelphia or the Greater Philadelphia Area and are looking for a high-quality physical therapy program, talk to the experts at Medical Rehabilitation Centers of Pennsylvania. Our board-certified physicians and licensed physical therapists will work closely with you to review your medical history, determine existing conditions and create a tailored treatment plan that you can work on at home  to alleviate your pain and restore your mobility. Additionally, our team has access to all of the latest physical therapy tools and techniques to help speed up your recovery so you can return to and enjoy your normal activities and lifestyle. 

To book an appointment with our licensed physical therapists, contact us at the location of your choice, or complete our online form and our team will get back to you at the earliest.