Take a Proactive Approach To Arthritis Pain With Physical Therapy
October 2026 Newsletter
Have you recently learned that your persistent joint pain is the result of arthritis? For many, this can be a challenging discovery, as the most common forms of arthritis have no known cures. But rest assured that you do not have to spend your life living with debilitating joint pain — physical therapy can help!
Arthritis refers to several conditions that cause joint inflammation, leading to its two primary symptoms: pain and mobility restriction. The most common form of arthritis, osteoarthritis, can cause pain during movement. It’s no surprise, then, that many people with arthritis wind up avoiding physical activity.
In reality, regular physical activity is one of the best ways to manage arthritis pain. Physical activity can also help delay the progression of arthritis — and help you avoid surgery.
As movement experts, the team at Rocky Mountain Physical Therapy is well-equipped to help you manage your arthritis pain. The physical therapy approach to arthritis management focuses on drug-free pain relief and regular movement. Best of all, it allows you to take a proactive role in your treatment.
Let’s look at what happens when you exercise regularly with arthritis — and what happens when you don’t. And if you’d like to learn more, call us to schedule an appointment today!
Got Arthritis? What To Expect If You Skip Regular Exercise
1. Your muscles will weaken: One of the big benefits of exercise is that it builds muscle mass. If you don’t exercise regularly, your muscle mass will decrease — especially if you’re older, as muscle mass naturally decreases as we age.
What does this mean if you have arthritis? Without strong muscles, your impacted joints don’t get the strength and stability they need to function, which puts even more stress on them — and means more pain in the long run.
2. Your joints will get stiffer: Our bodies are made to move, and when we don’t move them frequently enough, our joints don’t get the lubrication they need to run properly. This is as true for people with arthritis as it is for anyone else. Plus, since arthritis causes joint stiffness, not moving will only worsen your symptoms.
3. You increase your risk of injury: When you don’t exercise, you start to lose everyday abilities like balance, stability, and coordination. You can also develop muscular imbalances, improper biomechanics, or postural issues, all of which increase your odds of suffering an injury.
What Happens When You Do Exercise With Arthritis
1. You’ll experience less pain:
While it’s true that activity can initially worsen arthritis pain, regular exercise will decrease your pain symptoms over time.
2. You’ll experience fewer mobility restrictions:
Just as regular exercise can decrease pain, it will also help improve your range of motion — meaning you can move more easily.
3. The progression of your arthritis may slow:
Both osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis — the two most common forms of arthritis — will gradually worsen over time and may eventually require you to undergo surgery. Exercising won’t cure arthritis, but it will slow the damage to your joints.
4. You may feel more empowered:
Living with a chronic condition is hard. Regular exercise can help you feel like you’re taking an active role in managing your condition and reducing your pain.
5. You’ll experience other physical and mental benefits:
Exercise offers many benefits beyond pain management. It can improve mood and quality of sleep, protect you from heart disease and diabetes, and help you stay active and independent well into old age.
Ready To Start Exercising? Rocky Mountain Physical Therapy Can Help!
While the benefits of regular exercise for arthritis are undeniable, getting started can be challenging. Which movements are safe for you to perform? Which will provide you with the most benefits? What should you do if even simple movement is too painful?
This is where our physical therapists shine! We’ll create a customized arthritis treatment plan that speaks to your needs and abilities. Here’s a taste of all that we can offer:
- Acute pain management using manual techniques and pain relieving modalities
- Personalized exercise programs with targeted, progressive exercises that build strength and improve mobility
- Specialized exercise programs to address balance and other functional challenges
- Guidance on general exercise programs to keep you moving outside our clinic
Don’t let arthritis keep you from living an active, healthy lifestyle. Call us today to find out more about our arthritis treatment programs!
Your joints may be telling you to slow down, but that doesn’t mean you have to stop moving forward. At Rocky Mountain Physical Therapy, we’ll help you find the right strategies to build strength, improve mobility, and make everyday movement easier. Schedule an appointment today and discover what your body is still capable of!
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Feel Better by Eating Better!
Miracle Red Juice
Bright, refreshing, and packed with vibrant produce, this Miracle Red Juice is a delicious way to enjoy beets, carrots, apples, celery, citrus, and ginger in every sip. Blend up this colorful juice for a fresh, flavorful boost that’s perfect for starting your day or enjoying as an afternoon pick-me-up.
Ingredients
- 2 large beets
- 4 long carrots
- 2 apples
- 6 celery stalks
- 2 limes or lemons
- 2 inches of ginger
Strengthens:
- Immunity
- Eyes
- Liver
- Spleen
- Kidneys
- Pancreas
- Digestive Tract
Directions:
Prepare beets, carrots, apples, celery, limes (or lemons) and ginger by chopping into smaller pieces before placing into a juicer. As the skin of a beet is packed with antioxidants and nutrients, it is recommended to leave the skin on the beet. Beet skin and lemon peel (if using) have strong flavors, so you could also prepare half with skin and half peeled to adjust to the flavor, or simply peel all if preferred. Apples can be any color or variety. Do not peel the ginger, which you will add to taste as ginger can be spicy. After all ingredients are added to the juicer, blend until juiced and smooth. Drink juice as soon as possible to obtain all benefits of the antioxidants and nutrients. Miracle Red Juice can be absorbed more easily on an empty stomach. Drink one glass every other day or as needed.
Exercise of the Month
LUNGES
Stand tall with your feet hip-width apart. Step one foot backward and lower your back knee toward the floor, keeping your front knee aligned over your ankle. Push through your front heel to return to the starting position. Alternate legs with each rep.
3 Sets, 10 Reps (each leg).
7 Halloween Safety Tips for a Spooktacular Night
7 Simple Ways to Keep Halloween Safe
A little preparation can go a long way toward preventing injuries and helping your family enjoy a fun and memorable Halloween.
Carve Safely — or Not at All!
Children should never handle sharp knives, so parents and caregivers should always take responsibility for pumpkin carving.
For a safer alternative, let kids decorate pumpkins with paint and stickers instead of carving them. Just make sure any paint or decorating materials are nontoxic.
Make Costumes Safe
Costumes are the centerpiece of Halloween, but the wrong fit or design can increase the risk of trips and falls.
- Avoid baggy or dragging costume pieces.
- Choose bright or easily visible costumes.
- Avoid masks that limit peripheral vision.
- Choose comfortable, properly fitting shoes.
Be Seen on the Streets
Halloween means more pedestrians and more traffic. Make visibility a priority as your family heads out for trick-or-treating.
- Walk on sidewalks instead of in the street.
- Cross only at labeled crosswalks.
- Add reflective tape to costumes and bags.
- Carry glow sticks or flashlights.
- Use strollers or wagons for younger children.
Be Alert Behind the Wheel
Drivers have an extra responsibility on Halloween. Children are excited and may move unpredictably, so slow down and stay especially alert.
- Drive slowly through neighborhoods.
- Stay off your phone.
- Take extra time at crosswalks and intersections.
- Turn on headlights before it gets fully dark.
- Watch for children between parked cars.
Don't Get Distracted
Excited kids can be less attentive and more unpredictable than usual. Adults need to stay focused and keep their attention on their surroundings.
Safety reminder: Keep your phone away while walking and avoid getting so caught up in conversations that you lose track of the kids around you.
Stick Together
If older kids are trick-or-treating without an adult, make sure everyone knows the plan before heading out.
- Agree on the route ahead of time.
- Stay together as a group.
- Never leave anyone alone.
- Stay aware of traffic and surroundings.
- Keep phones away while walking.
Avoid Tummy Aches
Halloween candy can be hard to resist, but too many sweets can lead to stomachaches, constipation, nausea, and vomiting.
Encourage kids to take it easy with their Halloween haul and monitor how much candy they eat during and after Halloween.
A little moderation can help keep the fun going long after trick-or-treating ends.
Don't Forget to Have Fun!
Halloween is meant to be enjoyed. Take the right precautions, stay alert, and give your kids plenty of opportunities to enjoy the costumes, decorations, neighborhood fun, and family memories.
Safe + fun = a spooktacular Halloween!
Have a Safe & Spooktacular Halloween! 🎃
A little planning can help your family avoid common Halloween hazards while still enjoying the holiday. Stay alert, stick together, be visible, and most importantly, don't forget to enjoy yourself!
Meet Our Staff
Dr. Jennifer Bruer Vandeweert
PT, DPT • Regional Director • Clinical Director of Loveland-Orchards
Jamie Schiess
PTA • Manager of Clinics Operations • Clinical Director • Johnstown
Julie Swanson
Practice Manager
Aili Breda
Patient Care Coordinator
Brilee Nightengale
Patient Care Coordinator
Christina Skinner
PTA, Clinic Director of Windsor
Brandi Thompson
Patient Care Coordinator
Dr. Tyler Shandra
PT, DPT, CSCS • Clinic Director of South Fort Collins
Dr. Emily Derrera
PT, DPT • Clinic Director of Greeley
Dr. Ian Davis
PT, DPT
Dr. Connor Hughes
PT, DPT Clinical Director of Central Fort Collins
Let's Get You Better ASAP!
Don't let pain dictate your life. Take the first step towards reclaiming your mobility and well-being with our expert support. Start your journey to a healthier you today.