Gout is a type of arthritis, causing inflammation and pain in the joints. The culprit behind gout is the buildup of uric acid in the body. Uric acid is a natural substance; however, when there’s too much of it, it can form sharp crystals that tend to settle in the joints, especially the big toe. These crystals are like tiny pinpricks, causing serious discomfort. Uric acid can build up because the body may simply produce too much of it or the kidneys can’t get rid of enough of it. Buildup may also occur if a person is eating or drinking too much of the following:
- Red meat
- Organ meat
- Certain seafood like anchovies and sardines
- Sugary drinks
- Alcohol, especially beer
Gout is actually more common than you might think: It affects approximately 9 million people around the United States. Men are more likely to develop it than women are. Gout can come in waves, and periods of flare-ups are called gout attacks. These attacks can hit joints — especially in the big toe — suddenly and cause the joints to feel:
- Painful — The joint may feel like it’s on fire or being stabbed by tiny needles.
- Swollen — The joint can get puffy and look bigger than usual.
- Red and hot — The area around the joint will be inflamed, look red and feel warm to the touch.
- Tender — Even the weight of a bedsheet can be unbearable on the affected joint.
Gout can be a painful experience, but there are ways to help manage it. One way is physical therapy, which can be helpful in managing gout flare-ups.
Treatment options for gout
If you think you’re experiencing a gout attack, the first thing you want to do is seek medical attention from your doctor. They can help diagnose gout and recommend the best course of treatment to help get you back on your feet. The two main approaches to treating gout are:
- Treating the flare-up
- Preventing future attacks
There are several approaches to treating gout, depending on whether you’re in the throes of an attack or trying to prevent future ones. Treatment options can include:
- Pain relievers — Over-the-counter medications like ibuprofen or naproxen can help reduce inflammation and ease pain. Your doctor may prescribe stronger medications if your pain is too severe for over-the-counter medications to manage it.
- Colchicine — This medication can help specifically target gout attacks. It can be very effective if taken early on.
- Corticosteroids — Powerful anti-inflammatory medications like prednisone can help quickly bring down swelling and pain. These medications can be taken in pill form or injected directly into the affected joint.
- Uric acid-lowering medications — Medications like allopurinol or febuxostat can help the body get rid of excess uric acid, preventing crystals from forming.
- Lifestyle changes — Maintaining a healthy weight, eating a balanced diet lower in purines (substances found in certain foods that break down into uric acid), and staying hydrated are important.
- Rest and elevation — Resting and elevating the affected joint can help reduce pain and swelling during a gout attack.
- Physical therapy — Physical therapy techniques can help reduce inflammation during a gout attack. These techniques can also help you regain movement and build strength to help you maintain your joint health in the long run.
Physical therapy techniques for gout treatment
Physical therapy is a beneficial treatment for gout, especially in the rehabilitation phase. Gout affects the joints, and physical therapy offers treatment to address joint and soft tissue concerns to help improve mobility, reduce pain and reduce the risk of future flare-ups. Effective physical therapy techniques to treat gout include:
- Manual therapy — Manual therapy is an umbrella term for a variety of hands-on techniques used by a skilled physical therapist to alleviate pain, reduce inflammation and improve mobility in joints affected by gout. Your physical therapist may use soft tissue mobilization and joint mobilization to help you during your gout treatment.
- Soft tissue mobilization — Your physical therapist will use their hands to apply gentle pressure and rhythmic movements to the swollen, tender areas around your affected joints. Using their hands, your physical therapist will target the muscles and soft tissue affected by gout. It may feel like a gliding or kneading sensation. This can help break up tightness and promote circulation. Soft tissue mobilization can help reduce inflammation, alleviate pain and improve joint mobility.
- Joint mobilization — Using joint mobilization, your physical therapist will gently guide your affected joint through precise movements. These movements, which can involve small circles, stretches or glides, will carefully stretch and move the joint through its natural range of motion. With each controlled motion, your therapist aims to help restore your proper joint mechanics, reduce stiffness and improve flexibility. This hands-on approach can help ease discomfort and also promote healing by improving joint function and helping prevent future flare-ups.
- Myofascial release — Myofascial release is also a type of manual therapy. It targets the fascia, the connective tissue that surrounds the muscles and joints. Your physical therapist will use their hands to apply sustained pressure to specific points along the fascia. Gout can cause the fascia to become restricted due to inflammation and uric acid crystal buildup. It may feel a little intense at times, but with expert skill and sensitivity, your physical therapist will gently stretch and release the tight fascia. This can help improve circulation, release tension and boost mobility, which can provide you with pain relief and ease stiffness that can be associated with gout.
- Therapeutic exercises — Your physical therapist can create a tailored exercise program targeted around your specific needs and concerns based on the affected joints. Therapeutic exercises can help strengthen the muscles around your affected joints. You may do gentle leg lifts, toe curls or ankle rotations to improve your stability and support joints affected by gout. These exercises not only help reduce pain and inflammation, but also promote better joint function and mobility over time. This can empower you to manage and prevent future gout attacks through regular practice.
- Proprioception exercises — These exercises help retrain your body awareness. Your physical therapist will use special exercises to challenge your body’s proprioceptive system. This is your body’s sense of joint position and movement. These exercise challenges can help improve your coordination and stability in the joints affected by gout. By boosting your proprioception, you can better control your movements and reduce your risk of falls or injuries related to gout flare-ups. You may feel a little wobbly at first, but with practice, you can regain confidence in your movements and support your long-term joint health and function.
- Electrical stimulation — Electrical stimulation uses small electrodes placed on your skin near the affected joints to deliver gentle electrical pulses. These electrical pulses go deep into your tissue affected by gout. Electrical stimulation can help block pain signals, reduce muscle spasms, and promote circulation, which can provide you with immediate relief from discomfort. It can feel like a tingling sensation, but it can be a painless way to help you manage pain associated with gout, allowing you to be more comfortable doing your daily activities and physical therapy exercises.
Your physical therapist will create your personalized treatment plan based on your unique symptoms and concerns with gout. They’ll guide you through each step to help you manage your gout and get back to enjoying your life.
How long does gout last without treatment?
Without treatment, a gout flare-up can linger for anywhere between one and two weeks. However, it’s important to remember this is just an estimate; the exact duration of a flare-up can vary depending on the individual. It’s important to seek treatment for gout — even if your symptoms seem mild. Early diagnosis and treatment can help shorten the duration of flare-ups, prevent future attacks and minimize the risk of complications. Not treating gout can lead to:
- More severe flare-ups
- Joint damage
- Hard deposits forming under the skin
Don’t let gout slow you down: Take control back from gout pain with Back in Motion Physical Therapy
At Back in Motion Physical Therapy, we offer a variety of treatment options to help you get back on your feet and feeling your best. Our expert physical therapists will work closely with you to create a personalized treatment plan that may include manual therapy techniques, therapeutic exercises or other modalities that aim to help manage pain, improve joint health and prevent future flare-ups. Don’t let your gout sideline you any longer. We can help you take control of your gout for better joint health.
Call us or request an appointment today for effective treatment options for gout pain.
