Exercise is one of the most effective ways to improve arthritic pain, stiffness, and decreased range of motion in your joints. Arthritis is a chronic, progressive condition that causes inflammation, pain, and stiffness in one or more joints. The goal of an exercise program for those with arthritis is to preserve or restore range of motion and flexibility in affected joints, increase muscle strength & endurance to take stress off of arthritic joints, and increase aerobic conditioning. Check out seven benefits of exercise for those with arthritis and our tips for how to exercise safely with arthritis!

Check out our April Newsletter, highlighting 8 tips to prevent low back pain this gardening season, exercise rehabilitation for multiple sclerosis, the best exercise to improve hip flexor stength, and the role of nutrition in osteoarthritis symptom management.

In honor of National Nutrition Month in March, we at Mangiarelli Rehabilitation recognize the role that nutrition can play in managing osteoarthritis symptoms. Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of arthritis and involves the breakdown of cartilage around joints, causing inflammation, pain, and swelling. A balanced, nutritious eating plan that includes whole foods like fruits, vegetables, and lean protein, and is rich in antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids provides the body the nutrients it needs to prevent further damage to joints and improve OA symptoms. Combining targeted physical therapy with a whole-food nutritious diet can improve osteoarthritic symptoms and enhance OA patients’ overall quality of life, function, and mobility.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic systemic autoimmune disease that involves inflammation of the synovial lining of joints, causing swelling, pain, stiffness, and eventual erosion of the affected joints over time. Physical therapy plays a key role in helping patients with RA maintain muscle strength, flexibility, and joint range of motion as well as prevent long-term disabilities through a targeted exercise program. Physical therapy works together with medical drug treatments to improve the quality of life, optimize overall fitness and cardiovascular health, and maintain the ability to perform daily activities in those with rheumatoid arthritis.

Check out our September 2023 Newsletter, highlighting: debunking 6 myths about arthritis, physical therapy for an AC joint sprain, back-to-school backpack safety, and staff spotlight on our new PTA, Renee.

Arthritis, a chronic, progressive condition characterized by inflammation of the joints, is the leading cause of disability in the United States, affecting more than 50 million people. Physical therapists can help reduce arthritic symptoms, slow the progression of the disease, and create a customized, comprehensive program to help arthritis patients move safely and improve function, strength, and range of motion in the affected joints. However, there are numerous misconceptions about who is affected by arthritis and how to treat it effectively. Check out our post debunking 6 myths about arthritis!

Physical therapy can help those with hip osteoarthritis manage arthritic pain and regain function, strength, and mobility in the hip through therapeutic exercise and manual therapy. Osteoarthritis of the hip causes the protective cartilage lining the bones of the hip joint to progressively break down, causing the bones to rub against each other and leading to intense pain and inflammation within the hip joint.

Check out our January 2023 Newsletter, highlighting tips for managing arthritis this winter, wellness program update, winter donation thank you, and meniscus tear recovery with physical therapy.

Check out our 8 tips to manage arthritis this winter. Arthritis is a progressive chronic condition that involves inflammation, swelling, pain, and stiffness in one or more joints and is the leading cause of joint pain in the United States. Winter can exacerbate arthritic pain and stiffness due to the colder temperatures, precipitation, and decreased barometric pressure. Maintaining a regular exercise routine in winter is a key component of managing your arthritis, increasing your mobility, and decreasing your pain and stiffness.

Check out our December Newsletter, highlighting addressing frailty with physical therapy, physical therapy for diabetic peripheral neuropathy, Mangiarelli Rehab on WFMJ morning news, SVDP donation drive thank you, and Catholic Charities winter donation drive.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic autoimmune disease that affects the soft tissue around joints, causing joint inflammation and limiting joint function. Physical therapy and exercise can alleviate symptoms and improve function and quality of life in individuals with rheumatoid arthritis. A physical therapist can design a custom treatment and exercise treatment to help RA patients maintain fitness, increase strength to support affected joints, improve range of motion, and maintain the ability to do daily activities.

Check out our August 2022 Newsletter, which highlights physical therapy for shoulder osteoarthritis, back-to-school ergonomics, how to improve your golf swing, and 12 tips for running in the heat.

Shoulder osteoarthritis occurs when the cartilage that lines the shoulder joint is worn or torn away, causing pain, swelling, and reduced function in the shoulder. Shoulder osteoarthritis most commonly affects those over age 50, particularly older women. Physical therapy can help those with shoulder osteoarthritis manage and decrease pain, prevent progression of the disease, and restore movement and function in the shoulder. If the osteoarthritis is severe, surgery may be recommended to restore function followed by intensive rehabilitative care.

Check out our infographic on physical therapy for osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis in which cartilage around joints breaks down, causing pain and inflammation. Physical therapy offers a safe and effective treatment option for those with osteoarthritis, helping patients manage pain, improve function and mobility, and slow the progression of the disease.

At Mangiarelli Rehabilitation, aquatic therapy takes place in our warm water therapeutic pool with our aquatic therapy specialist, Sue. Aquatic therapy provides a safe and effective environment to build strength, improve mobility and balance, and enhance function with minimal stress on your joints. On the blog, our aquatic therapist, Sue, explains what aquatic therapy involves, ways it can benefit you as a patient, and how it can improve your strength and reduce pain.

Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis affecting the spine, often due to age-related wear and tear and mechanical changes in the spinal discs. Spinal osteoarthritis leads to pain in the back and neck and stiffness and loss of mobility in the spine. Physical therapy can help to reduce spinal osteoarthritis symptoms, slow progression of the disease, and instruct patients how to safely exercise.

Rheumatoid arthritis is a systemic autoimmune disease that affects the soft tissues around joints, causing joint inflammation and pain and limiting joint function. Early detection of the condition and treatment is key, which includes drug therapies and targeted exercise. Physical therapists help rheumatoid arthritis patients manage pain and improve muscle strength and joint function and range of motion through a therapeutic aerobic and strengthening exercise program.

On World Arthritis Day, we are explaining physical therapy treatment for knee osteoarthritis. Knee osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease characterized by knee pain, stiffness, and decreased strength. Physical therapists can help to reduce knee osteoarthritis symptoms, slow the progression of the disease, and create a customized, comprehensive program of exercise and manual therapy to help knee osteoarthritis patients move safely and improve function, strength, and range of motion in the knee joint.

Arthritis is the leading cause of joint pain in the United States. Arthritis is a chronic, progressive condition causing inflammation, swelling, pain, and stiffness in joints. Whether you are dealing with osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, or psoriatic arthritis, summer heat and weather can affect your arthritis and worsen symptoms. Check out our tips to handle the heat and manage arthritis during summer!

Dance is a full-body sport and art form, demanding incredible muscular strength, flexibility, and stamina. Dancers engage in long hours of training and performance, requiring extraordinary feats of athleticism, repetitive movements, and extreme flexibility. Due to the intense physical demands of dance, dancers are susceptible to injuries of the ankle, foot, leg, and lower back. Physical therapy can effectively treat dance-related injuries for a safe return to dance, helping the dancer regain full function and range of motion, addressing muscle imbalances, improving strength and conditioning, and providing bio-mechanical analysis for injury prevention.