Helping Your Child Stay Active With Arthritis

Physical Therapy in Peabody

Arthritis is prominent in all ages and ethnic backgrounds. In some cases, children may develop juvenile arthritis at a young age. Diagnosis of this condition usually occurs in the age range of six to sixteen. In the U.S., one in every 250 kids are diagnosed with arthritis and more than 300,000 kids in the country have this condition.

Arthritis is a disease that hinders a child’s use of their joints and muscles, making it hard for them to do daily activities such as walking or dressing. It is difficult for kids to feel comfortable and be in optimal health when they are always in pain from the inflammation of the tissues that line their joints.

What Risks are Associated with Inactivity?

Usually, children who suffer from arthritis tend to be inactive. This is due to the pain that they experience when engaging in sports and other activities. Most children with arthritis have less muscle strength and endurance and get tired from physical activity very easily. These conditions can be improved with the help of regular exercise routines. Performing certain exercises can help improve your child’s functions and capabilities. Staying active is essential for your child as it will help boost their mobility and improve comfort. It may also make them feel happier and keep them occupied. Most kids love to play, participate in sports, and be active. Inability to engage in these actions due to arthritis can be disappointing for them.

How Can Physical Activity Help?

Although there is no cure for children with arthritis, staying active is an important way to make sure the pain does not worsen. Physical activity is a simple and easy way to relieve pain without the use of medication. Engaging in joint-friendly physical movements will ease your child’s arthritis pain, condition, use, and state of life. The functions performed should be low risk and should put less stress on the body to reduce any injuries. Some fun activities your child can do include walking, biking, and swimming. If your child can perform them, weight-bearing exercises such as jumping rope and skipping have been shown to help enhance bone density. To make sure your child is exercising safely, read these tips:

  • Start slow with the physical activity given and pay attention to how your child’s body is tolerating the increased movements.
  • Have your child stay as active as possible (without pain).
  • Make sure the activity is “joint-friendly.”
  • Talk to a health professional or a physical therapist at MOTION about your child’s exercise options.

How Do I Know What Activities Are Safe?

You may be wondering, how do I know what activities my child can and cannot do? Inquiring with a specialist for physical therapy and pediatric care at MOTION can help you to identify the best exercises for your child. Specifically, workouts centered around daily life functions usually offer the best quality of treatment. This helps our physical therapists uncover beneficial information by observing and asking questions about how the child acts at home and school, what they struggle with, and their hobbies. Knowing these things will assist in finding out what exercises are going to help treat your child.

Physical Therapy at MOTION

MOTION provides the necessary activities to reduce your child’s pain and help them achieve a normal, pain-free life. We are relationship-focused and implement both group and individual sessions based on your child’s requirements. If your child is experiencing juvenile arthritis and you are unsure of what the next step should be visit MOTION by requesting an appointment today.