Physical Therapy, Physical Therapists
PHYSICAL THERAPY FOR GOUT
ARE YOU S U FFERIN G FROM GOU T? PH YS ICAL TH ERAPY CAN H ELP
Gout–many people have heard of it but
for the more than 8 million people in the
U.S. suffering from gout, it is a painful
reality they’d love to prevent. While
medical care from a physician is an
important part of managing gout, many
people do not know that a physical
therapist can help address the symptoms
and risk factors associated with gout.
WH AT IS GOU T?
So what is gout? Gout is a complex form
of arthritis characterized by sudden,
severe bouts of joint swelling, pain,
warmth, redness, and tenderness.
Accumulation of needle-like urate crystals
in the joint causes the inflammation and
pain characteristic of gout.
Urate crystals form when either too much uric acid is produced by the body or too little
is excreted by the kidneys. Uric acid is produced normally by the body when it breaks
down what are called purines. Purines are substrates found commonly in food we eat
such as red meat, organ meat and some seafood like tuna, anchovies, and mussels.
Eating these foods in high amounts can cause elevated uric acid as can drinking certain
alcohols such as beer or sugary cocktails.
Men tend to be at higher risk for developing gout than women, though post-
menopausal women are at a higher risk than their pre-menopausal counterparts.
Certain medications such as low dose aspirin, ACE inhibitors and anti-rejection
medications for post-organ transplant patients may increase levels of uric acid in the
body. Finally, a family history of gout and a personal history of certain medical
conditions such as obesity, uncontrolled high blood pressure, diabetes, metabolic
syndrome, or heart and kidney disease increase one’s risk of developing gout.
Gout attacks are most common in the joint at the base of the big toe but can actually
occur in any joint. Ankles, knees, fingers, wrists and elbows may be affected by gout
as well. An attack of gout typically occurs suddenly. You may awake in the middle of
the night with pain, heat, and redness in a joint so severe that even the bedsheet
touching the area is unbearable.
It is important to call your doctor if you develop these symptoms. Firstly it is important
to rule out other causes of joint pain, redness and swelling such as an infection or
acute injury. Secondly, untreated gout can lead to joint erosion and prolonged pain.
H OW IS GOU T TREATED?
During an acute gout attack your physician may prescribe medications to reduce
inflammation and manage pain. They may also recommend medications to prevent the
build-up of uric acid and improve its removal from the body to decrease your risk of
future gout attacks.
APRIL 11, 2022
GOUT GOT YOU DOWN?
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While your physician is an important and necessary first point of contact for treating
gout, a physical therapist should be another important member of your care team.
WH AT IS A PH YS ICAL TH ERAPIS T’S ROLE IN TREATIN G GOU T?
Once the gout attack is under control, physical therapy is a great option to help restore
normal joint movement and function and also to address lifestyle modifications that will
lower your risk for future gout attacks.
Lifestyle modifications: If you go back and review the list of risk factors for gout
outlined above, you will notice that many of them can be addressed with modifications
to one’s lifestyle. It should feel empowering to know that medication is not the only
way you can decrease the likelihood of another gout attack and of developing long term
joint damage.
Participation in a regular exercise program consisting of moderate to high intensity
cardiovascular and strength training can improve risk factors for diabetes, heart
disease, high blood pressure, and metabolic syndrome, all conditions associated with
an elevated risk for gout.
For many people, lack of familiarity with exercise and concerns about injury or
worsening pre-existing conditions such as joint pain or heart disease is a barrier to entry
for exercise. Luckily, physical therapists are experts in prescribing exercises that are
individualized to not only prevent worsening of your pre-existing medical concerns but
to actually help improve them! When you work with a physical therapist they can
advise you on how to safely begin an exercise program. Your physical therapist will
take the time to get to know your medical history, your current abilities, your concerns,
and your motivating factors and help tailor a program to meet your needs.
Physical therapy treatment: Physical therapy for gout will focus on managing pain
symptoms and improving function. Modalities such as cryotherapy (cold/ice) have been
shown to improve inflammation and pain during a gout attack. Your physical therapist
may advise you on splinting, or bracing the involved joint or on assistive devices such
as a cane or crutches when pain is severe enough to impair walking.
As the acute attack wanes or in the case of chronic joint damage from gout, restoring
normal joint motion is an important part of restoring your function. Your PT may apply
gentle hands-on techniques such as passive range of motion, soft tissue therapy or
joint mobilization, myofascial release techniques, or taping to improve the mobility and
health of the joint and soft tissues that are affected.
In the case of chronic gout, while the surfaces of the joint may no longer be pristine,
how the joint moves and how much stress is applied across a joint can play a large role
in how much pain you experience and how much you have to limit your activities.
Proper strength and flexibility in the muscles surrounding the joint can optimize the
movement of the joint and may reduce some of the rubbing that occurs between
uneven joint surfaces. Your physical therapist will test your muscles to identify areas
that need work and can guide you through a progressive program of exercises to
address these issues.
As muscles get stronger and tissues regain their proper length and flexibility, learning
to activate muscles at the right time and in the right order during a specific activity is
essential. Even if your muscles are strong, the motor control of these muscles may not
be adequate to properly perform a movement without putting excessive stress across
a certain joint. As you learn to control and fire your muscles while performing motions
such as going up stairs or running, you will experience less pain.
The ultimate goal of a physical therapy program is to help you get back to the activities
you love and need to do throughout your life. While you may not be able to prevent
every gout attack, you can help prevent long-term disability associated with joint injury
and inactivity. Don’t let gout get in your way of a happier, healthier, and more active
life. Schedule an appointment with a physical therapist at Evolve where they will
empower you to make lifestyle changes to reduce your risk for another gout attack and
help you get back to activities in the safest, most effective and quickest way possible.
Click here for more information about physical therapy for Gout
AB OU T EVOLVEN Y-
Brooklyn's Premier Holistic Physical
Therapy Clinics- There’s physical therapy,
there’s training, and then there’s
EVOLVE. We use the science of
biomechanics merged with fitness to
help our patients get better and stay
better!
First we evaluate, then we heal, then we strengthen our clients so they can reach their
goals, feel better, and live happier lives. We do so by utilizing a range of core
techniques and specialized treatments to reduce pain, improve mobility, enhance
physical strength and deal with the underlying issues, not just the pain itself.
Multiple Locations!
1-718-258-3300
https://EvolveNY.com
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