Arthritis Treatment & Relief
Upper East Side Manhattan, NY Physical Therapy
Arthritis: Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis. It occurs when the protective cartilage on the ends of your bones wears down over time. The disorder most commonly affects joints in your hands, knees, hips and spine.
Causes: Cartilage is a firm but flexible connective tissue in your joints. The cartilage absorbs the pressure and shock created when you move and put stress on them. A reduction in the cartilage tissue's size causes some forms of arthritis.
Symptoms: Pain, loss of flexibility, tenderness, stiffness, lack of mobility, decreased strength, bone spurs and more.
My treatment approach Osteoarthritis symptoms can usually be effectively managed, although the underlying process cannot be reversed. After evaluating the patient, I will determine which movement and pressure on the sensitive joint can be prevented or decreased with daily activities. The patient will be guided and trained on how to eliminate extra pressure on the sensitive arthritic joint for optimal body wellness. A set of exercises, proper posture training, body mechanics, gait training, and Feldenkrais and Alexander techniques will be incorporated into the holistic treatment. Along with joint and soft tissue mobilization (to increase blood flow and oxygen to the area), muscle energy techniques and articular mobilization will also be employed.
One of the goals of the treatment is to slow progression of the disease and help improve pain and joint function by suggesting alterations to your environment, such as usage of pillows and ergonometric chairs. A different way of approaching limitation of motion and discomfort is to treat the joints and muscles above and below the affected area. For example, if patients develop severe arthritis in the palm and describe to me that they have a hard time coordinating movement well, I will offer to strengthen the arm and shoulder in order to facilitate greater control stemming from the arm and shoulder that later on will help with the arm and palm control.
Why the RiVision method? One-on-one, prolonged hands-on treatment by Dr. Rivi, tailored to each person's physical and mental wellness. We also emphasize the patient's education on self-treatment and how to cope with the disorder and the pain in the long run.