Exercise & Prevention

If your back hurts, you are in good company. About four in five Americans experience back pain sometime in their lifetime. The underlying causes vary and include strains, herniated disks, arthritis, and stenosis, among others. A thorough examination by a doctor can help to pinpoint the source of pain. But regardless of the cause, treatment […]

Acupuncture is a Chinese healing technique thousands of years old that is rapidly gaining traction in the United States. It is often incorrectly portrayed in movies and TV, and many people don’t have a true understanding of what acupuncture is. We talked to Cleveland Clinic acupuncturist Timothy Sobo, LAc, to get his insights. How Does […]

Given the profound effects osteoarthritis can have on your daily life — the pain and stiffness that interferes with your activities — it’s in your best interest to do everything you can to prevent it or lessen the impact if you do develop it. Some osteoarthritis risk factors, such as your age, gender (women are […]

Q: I suffer from knee pain due to arthritis. You recommend Voltaren® gel, which I have tried. But a gel containing camphor, menthol and methyl salicylate gives me better relief. Why don’t you recommend that? A: In the November 2020 issue of Arthritis Advisor, Cleveland Clinic orthopaedic specialist Vikas Patel, DO, recommended the topical nonsteroidal […]

People with inflammatory arthritis often complain of debilitating exhaustion. Inflammatory types of arthritis, which include rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis, are known for joint pain. But these autoimmune diseases can have other, more widespread effects. “Many patients with inflammatory arthritis report that fatigue is a major concern for them,” says Chad Deal, MD, […]

Switch to Anti-Inflammatory Diet Helps to Control Rheumatoid Arthritis Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease in which chronic inflammation results in damage to joints. It is treated primarily with medications that impact the immune system in ways that reduce inflammation. Some research suggests an anti-inflammatory diet may be beneficial as well. In a study […]

Low-Intensity Strength Training Sufficient for Knee Arthritis A cornerstone of treatment for knee osteoarthritis is exercises to strengthen muscles. A study published in JAMA (February 2021) examined whether high-intensity activity is more effective than low-intensity activity for reducing knee pain. The study compared high-intensity with low-intensity strength training in 377 people ages 50 and older […]

Starting at around age 30, the density of bones starts to decline. For women, the process speeds up at the time of menopause. Bones that become too weak can more easily break from a fall or other trauma. Keeping bones as strong as possible requires adequate calcium, vitamin D and weight-bearing exercise. Bone is dynamic […]

If you have stiff, painful arthritic joints, you may be inclined to hold them still because it hurts to move. But movement and exercise are good for joints. When it gets difficult to motivate yourself to exercise, Cleveland Clinic physical therapist assistant Theresa Sambor, PTA, suggests doing it in water. Exercising in a warm pool […]

Joint pain in the hand can make even the simplest tasks challenging. Using utensils, writing with a pen, swinging a golf club, crocheting and many other tasks become difficult. Most of these limitations can be overcome with some strategies and helpful gadgets. First, learn the underlying cause of the problem, which should be diagnosed by a […]

Many people have been less physically active than normal due to restrictions of the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s time to change that. Your joints, bones, muscles, heart and brain will all be better off. But don’t go from sitting on the couch to running five miles a day. That’s a recipe for getting hurt and discouraged. […]

Q: I was diagnosed with polymyalgia rheumatica. What is this and can it be cured? A: Polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) is an inflammatory disease that causes pain, typically in the shoulders and hips. Pain can spread to the upper arms and neck. Other symptoms are stiffness (particularly in the morning and after resting), weakness and fatigue. PMR […]