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www.choiceptny.com OSTEOARTHRITIS IS A PAIN! PHYSICAL THERAPY CAN HELP
OSTEOARTHRITIS IS A PAIN! PHYSICAL THERAPY CAN HELP
As we all age, our bodies experience a certain “wear and tear” on cartilage and joints. This can cause inflammation and pain, known as arthritis. According to the American Arthritis Foundation, Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis, making itself apparent in people as they age. It can certainly take a toll on one’s body, resulting in achy or painful joints after exercise, after a long day on one’s feet, or even after prolonged periods of inactivity, thus causing joints to constrict. The most common areas of Osteoarthritis are found in the fingers, hips, knees, and spine. These are all joints that we use excessively, even in our daily lives. Just think - by the time you lift yourself out of bed, shower, brush your teeth, eat breakfast, and prepare to begin your day, you’ve already used these joints a multitude of times. Therefore, it isn’t surprising that pain can occur in them over time. If you believe you may be experiencing Osteoarthritis, give one of our physical therapists a call today to discuss pain relief. WHY DO WE EXPERIENCE OSTEOARTHRITIS? While it is true that Osteoarthritis is most common in older folks, that is not always necessarily the case. It is possible that Osteoarthritis can present itself in younger adults, especially if they are prone to weak joints, poor dieting, or if they aren’t very active. Your cartilage works hard to protect your joints by absorbing the natural shocks that your body experiences on a daily basis. Therefore, much of your likelihood regarding Osteoarthritis is dependent upon the physical and nutritional lifestyles you partake in. Joint alignment can alter and the muscles around a joint can weaken over time, causing the cartilage to shift or thin. As cartilage wears down, Osteoarthritis becomes much more common. As Osteoarthritis progresses, more symptoms can arise. The most common symptoms are: Joint pain. Swelling or tenderness in or around the joint(s). Inflammation or flare-ups of pain in the joint(s) after use. Feeling stiff after sitting or laying down for prolonged periods of time, especially when getting up in the morning. Crepitus - also referred to as a “cracking or crunching” feeling when moving the joint(s), or the sound of bone rubbing on bone.
INSIDE: • Why Do We Experience Osteoarthritis? • 3 Natural Allergies Remedies • Exercise Essentials • Healthy Recipe
Continued Inside
WE ARE HERE TO GET YOU BACK IN THE GAME!
HOW CAN PHYSICAL THERAPY HELP OSTEOARTHRITIS? According to the American Occupational Therapy Association, 1 in 5 adults are diagnosed with arthritis annually. Physical and occupational therapy are the most common treatments for Osteoarthritis, usually helping with the relief of joint pain in just a few sessions. If you have arthritis, don’t fret - there is hope! While anti-inflammatory and pain medications will help for the time being, they are very much a short-term solution. Physical therapy can help in actually strengthening your joints and muscles once again, allowing for a much healthier and long-term pain relief solution. Occupational therapy will also help in learning to use your joints in new ways once again, allowing for the highest quality of life despite the severity of your arthritis. Our physical therapists are trained to help you with joint alignment, stability, muscle regeneration, and most importantly, pain relief. They are dedicated to helping you get back to your normal levels of mobility. Don’t settle for a life of aches and pains - physical therapy can get you back on your feet and doing the activities you used to love! If you are suffering from Osteoarthritis, give us a call today - we can get you back to living your best, most pain-free life.
Sources
https://www.aota.org/~/media/Corporate/Files/AboutOT/Professionals/WhatIsOT/PA/Facts/Arthritis%20 fact%20sheet.pdf
https://www.arthritis.org/
EXERCISE ESSENTIALS
TRY THIS EXERCISE TO STRETCH YOUR HANDS
AROM HAND/FINGER TENDON GLIDE Start with fingers straight. Make hook fist, return to straight hand. Make full fist, return to straight hand. Make straight fist, return to straight hand. Repeat for 3 sets of 20 reps on both hands.
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3 NATURAL ALLERGIES REMEDIES
1. Limit your time outdoors. Each spring, trees release billions of tiny pollen grains into the air. When you breathe them into your nose and lungs, they can trigger an allergic reaction. Staying inside can help, especially on windy days and during the early morning hours, when pollen counts are highest. 2. Get natural relief. Some herbal remedies may help stave off allergy symptoms. More research is needed, but an extract from a shrub called butterbur shows promise. Biminne, a Chinese herbal formula with ingredients like ginkgo biloba and Chinese skullcap, may also help. One study found that people who took biminne five times a day for 12 weeks still felt the benefits a year later. 3. Tweak your home. Simple changes make a difference. Shut all windows to keep out pollen. Use an air conditioner to cool your home instead of a fan, which draws in air from outside. Take off your shoes at the door and ask guests to do the same. That keeps allergens outside. Finally, don’t allow guests, or yourself, to smoke inside the home. It can make allergy symptoms worse. If you or someone you live with smokes, now is a good time to quit.
HEALTHY RECIPE
Healthier Deviled Eggs
• 1/4 tsp ground turmeric • 1 pinch cayenne pepper • 1 pinch smoked paprika, plus more for topping • 1/4 tsp sea salt, plus more to taste • 1-3 Tbsp water
• 6 large eggs • 1 Tbsp plain or garlic hummus • 1 tsp dijon or spicy mustard • 1 tsp apple cider vinegar • 1 tsp olive oil or avocado oil • 1 ½ tsp raw honey (or sub maple syrup)
Hard-boil the eggs by method of your choice. Once the eggs have been boiled, cooled, and peeled under cool running water, pat dry and halve with a sharp knife. One at a time, tip the eggs over (cut-side down) and transfer the yolks into a small mixing bowl (use a spoon to gently scrape out any remaining yolk if needed). To the yolks, add hummus, mustard, apple cider vinegar, oil, honey, turmeric, cayenne, smoked paprika, and salt. Mash to combine. Add water a little at a time until a smooth paste is formed. Then taste and adjust flavor as needed, adding more salt to taste, vinegar for acidity, honey for sweetness, cayenne for heat, paprika for smokiness, or hummus for fluffy texture / garlic flavor. Transfer filling to a small piping bag or plastic bag with the corner clipped to pipe the yolk filling into the cooked egg whites (or simply use a spoon to fill the eggs).
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