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Fighting Arthritis Pain by Staying Active

April 24, 2023 | Tips & Trends
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May is National Arthritis Awareness Month. Did you know, arthritis is not a single disease? In fact, there are more than 100 types of arthritis and related conditions. They all affect the joints of the body and cause significant pain. Staying active is extremely important in the fight against the pain of arthritis. A lack of exercise can cause the muscles around the joints to begin to deteriorate, which in turn causes more pain for the arthritis sufferer. Staying active will preserve strength and joint mobility.

Working with a therapist is a good idea at any stage of arthritis. Studies consistently support the usefulness of an evaluation by a Physical or Occupational Therapist, and instruction in appropriate exercise to reduce pain and improve function. Our therapists will assess your mobility, flexibility, strength, and fitness and create an individualized program to maintain or increase your levels, and minimize the progression of the disease.

Our therapists can also help you keep up with the activities of daily living. If activities, like dressing, cooking, or bathing become more difficult or painful, our therapists can provide solutions or recommend assistive devices. They can determine where you may be wasting energy or time, including when you are stressing your joints unnecessarily. They can teach you a better and easier way to accomplish these tasks.

Click here for a downloadable Arthritis Hand Care Tip sheet.

The entire Phoenix Physical Therapy Team is committed to providing our patients with quality physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy in a safe and healthy clinic environment. We continue to follow the guidance provided by the CDC, WHO and public health officials to update you as new information becomes available. Let’s work together to keep each other safe and healthy.

The safety of our patients, communities and team members remains our top priority. We know you have a choice in your care providers and appreciate your commitment to Phoenix and our qualified clinicians.

Here are the actions we have taken to keep our patients, communities and team healthy & safe:

  • Flexible scheduling allows for social distancing
  • Regular cleaning and sanitation of all clinic surfaces
  • Facemasks must be worn by all Phoenix staff and are recommended for all patients
  • Screening questionnaire and temperature checks prior to entering clinics
  • 6 feet of social distancing throughout the clinics

Keeping Our Clinics Safe

Here are some tips on how we can keep each other safe:

  • Handwashing is your best self-defense against the spread of germs. When soap and water are not available and hands are not visibly dirty, use at least a 60% alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
  • Please stay home if you are not feeling well, especially if you have a fever, are coughing or sneezing, or are experiencing shortness of breath. If a patient shows up with symptoms, the clinic team will work with them to reschedule.
  • Be vigilant. If you have traveled to any of the countries where there are outbreaks of the virus, please follow guidance from the CDC website and our Travel Guidelines.

Here are actions we are taking to keep our clinics clean and safe:

  • Equipment will be wiped down after EVERY use with antibacterial wipes/sprays
  • All surfaces that patients or staff may touch including door handles, countertops, seating, pens at sign-in, bathroom and all other common areas will be disinfected regularly
  • Treatment tables will be 6 feet apart
  • Team members will wash their hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, particularly after going to the bathroom, before eating, and after blowing their nose, coughing or sneezin
  • Clinics will have hand sanitizer available at the front desk and in the treatment areas
  • Any Phoenix team members who are ill will be asked to stay home
  • We will maintain social distancing between patients in the clinic
  • Caregivers that are bringing a patient to the clinic should wait in their car or come back when the appointment has ended unless necessary (i.e. minor requiring a guardian or for assistance needs)
  • When possible, we will treat patients in private rooms to increase social distancing
  • Any patients that have underlying health issues (i.e. diabetes, respiratory problems, etc.) will be given the option to be seen during special clinic hours or can opt to be treated in a private room away from other clinicians and patients
  • All patients should be self-screening before entering the clinic. Our PCCs will perform a secondary screening during the check-in process and before patients enter the clinic including a screening questionnaire and temperature check.
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