Understanding Arthritis Pain in Seniors: More Than Just “Getting Older”
When your knees creak going up the stairs or your fingers ache while gardening, it’s not just about adding another candle to your birthday cake. For seniors in Chandler and Tempe, arthritis pain can steal the joy from favorite activities and make everyday tasks feel like mountains to climb.
“It’s frustrating when people say, ‘That’s just part of getting older,'” says Dr. Khan at Arizona Pain and Spine Institute. “While arthritis is common among seniors, accepting constant pain shouldn’t be.”
Arthritis affects over 50% of adults over 65, but that doesn’t mean you should surrender to it. Behind those painful joints is inflammation that can be addressed through multiple approaches – not just by taking pain pills that mask symptoms but don’t solve the problem.
For many Chandler and Tempe seniors, the key to returning to an active lifestyle isn’t found in a single treatment but in a thoughtful combination of traditional and innovative techniques. At Arizona Pain and Spine Institute, specialists work with seniors to develop personalized plans that respect both their current limitations and their goals for the future.
“The biggest mistake I see is seniors thinking their only options are surgery or suffering. There’s a whole world of effective treatments in between.” – Dr. Ryklin, Arizona Pain and Spine Institute
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The Power of Physical Therapy: Gentle Movement That Makes a Difference
When arthritis pain strikes, many seniors in Chandler and Tempe think they should avoid moving the painful joint. But according to the experts at Arizona Pain and Spine Institute, careful, guided movement is often exactly what arthritic joints need most.
Physical therapy for senior arthritis pain focuses on:
Strengthening Supporting Muscles: When the muscles around your painful knee or hip get stronger, they take pressure off the joint itself. Even gentle exercises can make a big difference.
Improving Flexibility: Stiff joints hurt more. Through gentle stretching, physical therapists help seniors regain range of motion that makes daily activities easier.
Teaching Pain-Free Movement Patterns: Something as simple as changing how you climb stairs or get out of a chair can dramatically reduce arthritis pain.
Water-Based Exercises: Many Chandler and Tempe seniors find relief in warm-water therapy pools, where buoyancy reduces pressure on painful joints while still allowing movement.
“We’ve seen remarkable improvements in seniors who commit to physical therapy,” Dr. Khan explains. “One 78-year-old patient from Tempe could barely walk across her kitchen when she first came to us. After eight weeks of targeted physical therapy combined with our other treatments, she’s back to walking her dog every morning.”
The physical therapy approach at Arizona Pain and Spine Institute differs from one-size-fits-all programs. Each senior receives a customized plan based on their specific type of arthritis, pain level, and personal goals. Best of all, these techniques work hand-in-hand with more advanced treatments like amniotic stem cell injections, creating a comprehensive approach to senior arthritis relief in Chandler and Tempe.
Amniotic Stem Cell Therapy: Advanced Relief Without Major Surgery
For seniors in Chandler and Tempe looking beyond traditional arthritis treatments, amniotic stem cell therapy offers an exciting option that doesn’t involve the risks of major surgery or long recovery times.
“Many of our senior patients are amazed that such advanced treatment is available right here in their community,” says Dr. Ryklin of Arizona Pain and Spine Institute. “They often come to us after being told their only options were either living with pain or undergoing joint replacement.”
But what exactly is this treatment? In simple terms, amniotic stem cell therapy uses special cells from donated amniotic fluid to help your body repair damaged joint tissues. When carefully injected into arthritic joints, these cells can:
- Reduce inflammation that causes pain and swelling
- Help repair damaged cartilage
- Improve joint lubrication for smoother movement
- Slow down the progression of arthritis
What to expect during treatment:
- A comfortable office visit at the Chandler or Tempe location
- Preparation of the joint area with local numbing medication
- Precise injection guided by imaging technology
- A brief rest period afterward
- Return to most normal activities within 24-48 hours
“The beauty of this treatment for seniors is its minimal downtime,” explains Dr. Khan. “Most of our Chandler and Tempe patients can return to their daily routines quickly, unlike major surgeries that might require months of recovery.”
Combining Treatments: Why It Works Better for Senior Arthritis Pain
At Arizona Pain and Spine Institute,, the approach to senior arthritis pain isn’t about choosing either physical therapy OR stem cell therapy – it’s about using both in a thoughtful sequence that maximizes results.
Picture this: You have arthritis in your knee that makes walking painful. Here’s how the combined approach might work:
First Phase: Dr. Khan or Dr. Ryklin might start you with gentle physical therapy to improve flexibility and reduce initial pain. This creates a better foundation for advanced treatments.
Second Phase: Once you’ve gained some mobility, amniotic stem cell injections target the damaged tissues directly, starting the repair process at the cellular level.
Third Phase: After the injection, specially designed physical therapy exercises help your body make the most of the stem cells’ healing effects.
“The seniors who see the best results in our Chandler and Tempe offices are those who follow through with all phases of treatment. It’s like a three-part harmony – each element makes the others work better.” – Dr. Khan, Arizona Pain and Spine Institute
This combined approach is especially important for seniors who may have multiple health considerations. The team at Arizona Pain and Spine Institute takes time to understand each patient’s complete health picture, creating arthritis treatment plans that work with other conditions like diabetes, heart issues, or osteoporosis.
For 72-year-old Robert from Chandler, this combined approach made all the difference: “After trying just medication for years, I was skeptical about anything helping my hip pain. But the combination of therapy and stem cell treatment got me back on the golf course in two months – something I never thought would happen again.”
Beyond the Treatment Room: Home Care Tips for Senior Arthritis Sufferers
While the professional treatments at Arizona Pain and Spine Institute form the backbone of effective arthritis care, what seniors do between appointments matters too. Dr. Khan and Dr. Ryklin frequently share these practical tips with their Chandler and Tempe patients:
Gentle Movement Matters: “Even on painful days, some movement is better than none,” advises Dr. Khan. “Simple range-of-motion exercises while sitting in a comfortable chair can help keep joints from stiffening further.”
Heat and Cold Therapy: Many seniors find relief using warm towels or heating pads for morning stiffness, switching to cold packs for evening inflammation. The team at GotPainArizona.com can demonstrate proper techniques for maximum benefit.
Smart Home Modifications: Simple changes like lever-style door handles, grab bars in bathrooms, or kitchen tools designed for arthritic hands can significantly reduce daily joint stress. “These modifications aren’t about giving up independence,” explains Dr. Ryklin. “They’re about preserving it.”
Anti-Inflammatory Nutrition: “What you eat affects joint inflammation,” says Dr. Khan. Seniors in Chandler and Tempe are often surprised to learn that certain foods can either help or worsen their arthritis symptoms. The nutrition specialists at Arizona Pain and Spine Institute offer guidance on senior-friendly anti-inflammatory eating.
Proper Sleep Positioning: “How you sleep can either relieve or aggravate arthritic joints,” notes Dr. Ryklin. The right pillows and sleep positions can make mornings less painful for seniors with arthritis.
The team at GotPainArizona.com takes time to educate each senior patient about these home care strategies, creating a comprehensive approach that extends well beyond office visits.
“The most successful seniors are those who become active participants in their own healing journey. We provide the medical expertise and treatments, but they contribute daily through these self-care practices.” – Dr. Khan, Arizona Pain and Spine Institute
Taking the First Step Toward Better Mobility in Chandler and Tempe
If arthritis pain has been limiting your life as a senior in Chandler or Tempe, it’s time to discover the combined approach that has helped hundreds of local older adults return to activities they love.
The journey to better joint health at Arizona Pain and Spine Institute follows three simple steps:
- Comprehensive Evaluation: Your first visit includes a thorough assessment with either Dr. Khan or Dr. Ryklin. They’ll take time to understand not just your joint pain, but how it affects your daily life and what activities you hope to return to.
- Personalized Treatment Planning: Based on your specific type of arthritis, overall health, and personal goals, the team will create a treatment plan that might include both physical therapy and amniotic stem cell injections. They’ll explain each recommendation in clear, simple terms.
- Supported Treatment Journey: Throughout your treatment, the GotPainArizona.com team provides ongoing support, adjusting your plan as needed based on your progress and comfort level.
“We understand that seeking new treatments can feel overwhelming, especially for seniors who may have been told to simply accept their pain,” says Dr. Khan. “That’s why we’ve created a welcoming, unhurried environment in both our offices.”
Don’t let another season pass with limited mobility or activities missed due to arthritis pain. The combination of traditional physical therapy and innovative amniotic stem cell treatment offers hope for seniors who thought they’d exhausted their options.
Contact the Arizona Pain and Spine Institute today at (480) 986-7246 or visit GotPainArizona.com to schedule your consultation. Convenient appointment times are available at both the Chandler and Tempe locations.
Arizona Pain and Spine Institute provides comprehensive arthritis pain management for seniors throughout the East Valley, with locations near Chandler and Tempe. Dr. Khan and Dr. Ryklin specialize in combining traditional physical therapy with advanced treatments like amniotic stem cell injections to help seniors maintain their independence and quality of life. Learn more at GotPainArizona.com.