Should I Exercise If My Joints Make Noise?
Do your joints make noises when you move? Many people hear noises such as pops, creaks, or grinding in their joints, often in the knees, with activities such as going up stairs or squatting down. But it’s important to know that these noises can be normal, especially if they are not associated with any kind of pain! When joints make noise, it is commonly known as crepitus. Let’s take a closer look at what crepitus is and what you need to know in order to continue safe exercise.
5 Myths About Arthritis And What Physical Therapists Want You To Know
Arthritis is very common in the United States. In fact, research studies report that about 18-25% Americans have a diagnosis of osteoarthritis. That is almost 1 in every 4 people. It can be a scary diagnosis that signals painful joints and degeneration. Knowledge is often power and helps people to create a plan to deal with arthritis and related aches and pain.
Joint Protection Strategies
Since April is Occupational Therapy Month, our OT’s have put together a list of modifications that can help to decrease forces on hands and other joints. This chart has modifications that many people encounter daily. These adaptations will allow you to use less force which will avoid pain, prevent arthritic changes, and help to prevent deforming forces and injury.
Why Is There Swelling After an Injury?
Most of us have had an instance where we stepped funny and twisted our ankle or knee, maybe stretched our shoulder too far, or tripped and injured our wrist. These are examples of an acute injury. Acute injuries are usually the result of a single traumatic event. This is in contrast to a chronic injury that occurs with repetition and over time. Swelling is a common occurrence after injury. Swelling is a normal reaction to injury; however, the swelling reaction is excessive sometimes. Let’s look at what happens when your body has swelling after an injury.
What You Need to Know about Sacroiliac Joint Pain
Many people experience back pain and, as you may know, symptoms can vary. Sometimes back pain is sharp and located off to one side. Pain can also be isolated to the low back or travel into the buttock or down the leg. Oftentimes, pain occurs with certain positions or movements. Although the source of back pain can be located in the lumbar spine, it can also be related to a joint where the spine meets the pelvis, called the sacroiliac joint.
Get a Grip on Fall: Joint Protection Tips for Your Hands
Co-author: Sofia Monarrez
Fall season is here! Sweater weather, crisp and chilly mornings, colorful foliage, and pumpkin flavored everything are just a few reasons to love autumn. But as you reach for your leaf rake or start cooking your favorite fall foods, let’s make sure you are protecting the joints in your hands while you make the most of the season.
Pain: Is it Always in the Shoulder?
Shoulder pain is both common and frustrating, as there are many things that could be contributing to discomfort in that area. To have a better idea of what may be causing your pain, let’s get a little background on how the shoulder works.
High Heels: Great for Fashion, Bad for Your Body
Every lady loves the way her legs look in a killer pair of high heels. But what most women don’t know is that habitual use of those great shoes can have severe effects on joint health. High heels change foot posture, which then in turn changes the alignment of the entire lower body and the direction of the pull of gravity in relationship to those joints, thus stresses muscles in an abnormal fashion. (more…)
