Physical therapists have worked with arthritic patients for many years creating treatment and exercise programs for natural relief from the pain of arthritis. We now understand arthritis also has connections to the gut! It’s not merely a simple nutritional approach, but has more to do with things that shouldn’t be in the system. We need to look at ourselves as a whole network of systems working interdependently with each other.
I have taken numerous classes to round out my skills as a physical therapist, because focusing exclusively on the muscles and joints no longer attains satisfactory results for patients. The human body consists of more than muscles and joints. For optimum health, one has to take a more global view.
Organs affect our ability to move. Ask anyone who has had surgery for an organ! Optimal functioning of those organs is definitely vital to good health. One of the primary concerns of a physical therapist is the body’s ability to move freely.
Many studies in medical journals mention a link between arthritis and the intestines. Apparently it has to do with a condition known as “leaky gut syndrome,” which permits substances which normally would not leave a specific site to spread into other areas – similar to having a slow leak in a sewer pipe leeching sewage material into your yard, contaminating the area. The intestines normally function like a pipe transporting waste products out of the body. Thus, any leakage out of the intestines could easily contaminate other areas including the blood stream, sending toxins into the joints.
Unfortunately, many medications prescribed to help alleviate arthritis pain actually irritate the stomach and the gut, aggravating the “leaky gut syndrome.” In extreme cases, ulcers can occur where blood then leaks out of the tissues, increasing pain as well as inflammation. So these medications may be adding to the problem in the long term, creating additional leakage and more potential for additional contamination.
One has to look at the broader view to see how all the systems interact in order to get the body back into balance for normal functioning. As many have found, it is not a matter of taking a single pill to remedy the situation. Breakdowns can occur in a variety of places, and to correct the situation one must evaluate the systems to determine where a true remedy to the problem can be found.
Diets, chemicals, drugs, lifestyle habits, activity levels, stress, genetics and other health conditions can influence the functioning of the digestive system. We are susceptible to toxins from the foods we eat, the air we breathe and the things we touch. The skin is very absorbent! Energy influences such as radiation and electromagnetic energy can also negatively impact us.
Digestive problems and arthritic conditions can be helped through specific manual therapy techniques, dietary means, elimination of toxic chemicals from your immediate environment and specific exercises to help increase blood flow and improve joint and soft tissue mobility.
In his article for “Applied Nutritional Science Reports,” Dr. Frederick T. Sutter, MD, outlines specific natural therapies for rheumatoid arthritis and other chronic inflammatory conditions. He suggests using antioxidants to address the issue of excessive free radical production associated with inflammation.
Free radicals cause damage to cells and are not good to have circulating in your system. He suggests Omega-3 fatty acids found primarily in fresh cold water fish, leafy green vegetables, and flaxseed oil, to promote the production of anti-inflammatory mediators. Taking herbs, probiotics and prebiotics will promote a healthy gut environment and keep undesirable bacteria in check.
Specific physical therapy techniques have been developed to help promote optimal movement between bones, muscles, organs and other connective tissue, which may have been limited due to injury, inflammation, scarring and inactivity.
My personal preferences include gentle techniques for the patient and the practitioner, leading to improvement in both movement and function. Identifying habitual movements and postures can also lead to elimination of those harmful activities perpetuating a problem.
Often, I have found that patients create many of their own problems. In most cases, they were simply unaware of what they were doing, and once given the tools to correct and change those habits, the patients improved dramatically.
Products regularly used in the home, both for personal hygiene and household cleaning, can be a source of toxicity to your system. You need to know the various toxic chemicals contained in common products such as soaps, shampoos and household cleaners.
Many companies produce products free of toxic substances. Becoming aware of which ingredients to avoid can help you to stay healthier by not allowing those toxins into your body in the first place. It takes a multi-faceted approach to tackle a serious problem. Keep yourself informed and try to adhere to the motto, “First Do No Harm.”
I believe that educating patients in proper posture, exercise and wellness programs and increased nutritional awareness promotes more complete recovery from numerous painful conditions, including arthritis.
