Find Relief from Osteoarthritis Pain
Are you experiencing persistent joint pain, particularly in a weight-bearing joint like your hip or knee? Do you ever notice a clicking or grinding sensation in your painful joint? If so, you may have developed osteoarthritis, the most common form of arthritis in the United States.
Arthritis is an umbrella term for over 100 conditions that cause joint inflammation and lead to pain and restricted mobility. The source of that inflammation will vary depending on the type of arthritis. Osteoarthritis is caused by the degeneration of the cartilage and bone tissue in the affected joint.
Osteoarthritis has no cure and can profoundly impact your overall quality of life, making it harder for you to stay active, keep up with chores, and enjoy time with your loved ones. Fortunately, the team at Hands of Hope offers several services and techniques to help you manage your symptoms — often enough that you can delay or even avoid surgical interventions.
If you’re tired of living with osteoarthritis pain, call us to schedule an appointment today!
Understanding Osteoarthritis: Symptoms and Causes
The primary symptoms of osteoarthritis are pain and stiffness in the affected joint. These symptoms often manifest in the following ways:
- Pain during activity but not while at rest
- Pain when you press on the joint
- Joint stiffness first thing in the morning
- Joint stiffness after sitting or lying down for long periods
- Noises in the joint, including creaking, cracking, or crunching
While any joint can develop osteoarthritis, it most commonly occurs in weight-bearing joints like the knees and hips. However, it’s also fairly common in the hands, spine, and feet.
The causes of osteoarthritis are complex, and several factors can contribute to it. One of these factors is age: approximately 73% of people with the condition are 55 years or older. That’s not to say osteoarthritis is an inevitable part of the aging process — plenty of older people don’t have it. But your chances of developing it do increase as you age.
Other possible factors contributing to osteoarthritis include past injuries to the joint, gender (women are more likely to develop it than men), body weight, and even genetic predispositions.
Exercise of the Month
Heel Slides Long Sit
(Knees, Hamstrings)
Start by sitting on the floor with both legs extended out in front of you and your back flat. Loop a strap around your foot on your injured leg and place a towel under your heel. Slowly pull your heel toward your butt by tugging on the strap until you have reached your max comfortable range of motion. Slowly allow your heel to slide back out until your leg is straight. 3 Sets, 10 Reps. (Materials needed: towel, belt)
How Hands of Hope Helps Manage Osteoarthritis Symptoms
The good news is that you can control osteoarthritis symptoms, especially with help from our multidisciplinary team! We offer a range of services and will work with you to find the best treatment options for your needs. Here’s how we’ll do it:
Provide Pain Relief
We offer several pain management options to make movement easier, including:
- Noninvasive physical therapy approaches, such as manual therapy, shockwave therapy, and therapeutic ultrasound, all of which can boost blood circulation and enhance mobility
- Corticosteroids or hyaluronic acid injections, which provide relief by reducing inflammation or improving joint lubrication
- Advanced pain management techniques, such as nerve blocks and radiofrequency treatments, which can reduce severe pain that limits activity
Help With Weight Management
Reducing extra body weight lowers the load placed on arthritic joints. We blend GLP-1 medications, tailored exercise programs, and personalized nutrition guidance for a healthy, sustainable approach.
Build Strength and Restore Mobility
We’ll develop a customized, progressive exercise program to rebuild lost strength and mobility in the affected joint. Building strength, in particular, can help support and protect the joint so you can move more easily.
We also offer aquatic therapy, which can help you build strength without putting unnecessary stress on your joints.
Enhance Overall Wellness
Our therapeutic yoga program gets you moving in a safe, gentle way while enhancing mobility and balance. Our IV therapy services can help improve energy levels to keep you consistent with exercise and daily activity.
Provide Strategies for Activity Modifications
Finally, we can help you identify and avoid any specific activities that might put too much strain on your joints. If needed, we can also show you how to use mobility aids (such as canes or walkers).
Sources: https://www.choosept.com/guide/physical-therapy-guide-osteoarthritis, https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/osteoarthritis, https://www.arthritis.org/health-wellness/healthy-living/physical-activity/getting-started/benefits-of-exercise-for-osteoarthritis
Don’t Let Osteoarthritis Pain Hold You Back!
We know that living with osteoarthritis can be difficult, but the team at Hands of Hope is here to help you manage your condition and live your life to the fullest. With customized treatment plans, acute pain management techniques, and comprehensive health and wellness services, our approach can help you take control of osteoarthritis pain.
Coming Soon: the Hands of Hope Loyalty Program.
Stay tuned for more details.
Healthy Snack: Apple Nachos
- 2 apples, any variety
- 1/4 cup creamy nut butter
- Toppings of your choice (granola, shredded coconut, caramel, slivered almonds, raisins, etc.)
- Slice apples thinly and arrange on a plate.
- Melt nut butter in the microwave (30-60 seconds). Stir.
- Drizzle nut butter over the apples.
- Top with a sprinkling of your choice of toppings.
- Serve immediately.
