Prepare for Physical Therapy

• Developing a physical therapy regimen that works for you is crucial. You should consult both a physical therapist and an occupational therapist once you have received a diagnosis. A physical therapist will help you design an exercise regimen that improves the health of your arthritic joint and doesn't stress the joint improperly. An occupational therapist will help you plan routines for your daily work and activities to avoid further damage to the affected joint.
  
  

Develop a Program

• It is possible your condition will require surgery, so ask your doctor. If no surgery is needed, your physical therapist will be able to design a more vigorous level of therapy for you. According to the Arthritis Foundation, "Exercise is considered the most effective non-drug treatment for reducing pain and improving movement in osteoarthritis."
  
  Discuss types of therapy with your physical therapist. If your acromioclavicular arthritis is serious, you may require exercises that keep the arm below shoulder level. Learning range-of=motion exercises will help increase circulation and flexibility. Always keep a log of your symptoms so your therapist knows when you are ready to progress to strengthening exercises.
  
  

Physical Therapy After Surgery

• If your acromioclavicular arthritis requires surgery, discuss physical therapy with your doctor. Ask for references to physical therapists experienced with post-surgical therapy. Your therapist may initially schedule passive exercises, in which the therapist moves the joint and flexes the muscles for you, reducing chance of strain or injury during recovery. Especially pay attention to muscle spasms and pain, as these can be indicators you are doing more than you should before you are fully healed.
  
  

Pain Management During Your Therapy

• There are many ways to manage acromioclavicular arthritis pain, and you don't want pain to delay your therapy. Use over-the-counter pain medications whenever possible. These types of pain medications have far fewer side effects than most prescription drugs. If your pain is too severe for non-prescription medications, ask your doctor about other options. Various options are available, including anti-inflammatory drugs to reduce pain caused by joint swelling, injections that reduce swelling and pain, and even nerve blockers that impede the transmission of pain signals. Discuss your level of pain and possible treatments with your doctor.