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.
Health &Wellness The Newsletter About Your Health And Caring For Your Body
OSTEOARTHRITIS IS A PAIN! PHYSICAL THERAPY CAN HELP!
INSIDE: • Osteoarthritis is a Pain! • How Can Physical Therapy Help Osteoarthritis? • Mind Exercise: Sudoku
Health & Wellness The Newsletter About Your Health And Caring For Your Body
Osteoarthritis is a Pain! Physical Therapy Can Help
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.
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
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HOW CAN PHYSICAL THERAPY HELP OSTEOARTHRITIS?
1 in 5 adults are diagnosed with arthritis annually. Physical therapy is one of the most common treatments for Osteoarthritis, usually helping relieve 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. Physical therapy will also help you 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%20fact%20 sheet.pdf https://www.arthritis.org/
Allergy Symptom Reduction. A thorough cleaning can greatly reduce the amount of dust in your home, which is helpful considering about 20 million Americans are allergic to dust mites according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. A 2014 study by the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunity found that cleaning and decluttering your home can help you avoid allergy symptoms and make you feel more healthy. Cleanliness Produces Happiness. Maybe you don’t enjoy the process of cleaning, but the end result will leave you smiling. A 2010 study at the 5 Health Benefits of SPRING CLEANING!
University of California, Los Angeles found that having a clean home can improve your mood and reduce your risk of depression. Studies also show that doing housework for 20 minutes can reduce stress and anxiety by up to 20 percent. Better Heart Health. If you’re looking for an easy way to support your heart health, just 30 minutes per day of light exercise (including low- intensity physical activities like household chores, vacuuming, mopping, and scrubbing floors) can decrease your risk of heart disease by 24 percent. Declutter and Do a Good Deed by Donating. An essential part of a successful spring cleaning is getting rid of old items that are no longer used or worn. Apply the rule of thumb that if you haven’t made use of something in a year, it’s time for it to go. Fill bags and boxes of things, then donate them to a local charity so they can still be beneficial to someone else. Giving to others is an act that is associated with greater self-esteem, lower stress levels, and overall happiness. Get a Better Night’s Sleep. Do you have trouble sleeping at night? The National Sleep
Foundation found in a recent poll that people who make their beds are 19 percent more likely to sleep well on a regular basis. Clean sheets with a fresh scent impacted 75 percent of those individuals polled. See what a difference spring cleaning can make by cleaning the clutter from your room and sleeping on some fresh sheets. Sources: ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19934011 parsleyhealth.com/blog/health-benefits-spring-cleaning Flu Season & COVID-19 Got YouWorried? Give Yourself an Immunity Boost! These three tips can help you stay healthy and strengthen your immune system: 1. Aim for 8-9 hours of sleep each night. 2. Make a habit of 20-30 minutes of physical activity a day. 3. Maintain a nutritious diet heavy on fruits and vegetables. The essential vitamins are key to making sure your immune system is as healthy as possible.
Continue Your Home Exercises Try these movements to reduce your pain and keep moving!
The best way to keep your body healthy during this time is to stay moving and reduce inflammation. Being sedentary and making poor diet choices has the potential to hurt your immune system and make you a target for sickness and disease. 9 ways to strengthen your body against viruses like COVID-19: 9 ways to strengthen your body against viruses like COVID-19
SINGLE KNEE TO CHEST STRETCH While lying on your back, hold your knee and gently pull it up towards your chest. 8-10 times on both sides
1. Wash your hands. 2. Decide to get up and get moving.
SIDELYING TRUNK ROTATION While lying on your side with your arms out-stretched in front of your body, slowly twist your upper body to the side and rotate your spine. Your arms and head should also be rotating along with the spine as shown. Follow your hand with your eyes. Hold for 20 seconds repeat 3 times on each side.
3. Eat nutrition rich food. 4. Drink plenty of water. 5. Don’t smoke. 6. Get a good amount of rest. 7. Stretch. 8. Take frequent breaks for breathing exercises. Inhale and exhale deeply. 9. Continue your home exercise program 2-3 times per week. In order to be healthy, there needs to be a large emphasis on movement. When your body is flexible, strong, well-balanced, and fueled by a nutritious diet, it is able to fight infection and reduce the impact of viruses. We are dedicated to helping you live the best life you can. During this time, if you cannot make it to your physical therapy appointments, continue your exercises at home. We care for you and remember you are part of our physical therapy family.
KNEE EXTENSION STRETCH While sitting, tighten your top thigh muscle to press the back of your knee downward towards the ground. 8-10 times on both sides
Please stay healthy and safe.
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