Hand Osteoarthritis: Therapy, Exercise, and Nutrition
- Dr. Brian Abelson
- Aug 29, 2024
- 10 min read
Hand osteoarthritis (OA) doesn’t have to mean a lifetime of pain and limited mobility. This article introduces a powerful approach that combines manual therapy with exercise to ease hand OA symptoms. Our goal is to reduce pain, improve mobility, and empower you to rewrite your hand OA story with targeted interventions and personalized exercises.
The Good News
Based on patient outcomes, we have observed a 90% success rate in reducing or eliminating pain and improving function. Combining manual therapy with targeted exercise, as part of our Motion Specific Release (MSR) methodology, can make a real difference in your life. While it may not reverse the progression of osteoarthritis, it can slow down its progression, alleviate pain, and enhance functionality.
Article Index:
The Onset of Hand OA
Hand osteoarthritis (OA) begins with the gradual breakdown of cartilage, the soft cushion between the bones in your joints. The cells within this cushion, called chondrocytes, are crucial for maintaining joint health. However, in hand OA, these cells change and contribute to cartilage deterioration. As the damage progresses, the bones begin to reshape, further complicating the condition. Both chondrocytes and inflammatory cells play a key role in accelerating this process.
Chondrocytes: Active Players in Hand OA
In hand OA, chondrocytes are not just bystanders; they actively contribute to the disease. These cells release enzymes like matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), which break down the cartilage structure and disrupt collagen production, a vital component of cartilage. This imbalance between cartilage breakdown and repair speeds up the degeneration. Additionally, when chondrocytes trigger inflammation, it fuels this destructive cycle, worsening the progression of hand OA.
The Impact of Inflammation on Hand OA
Inflammation is a driving force behind the progression of hand osteoarthritis (OA). Immune cells like macrophages and lymphocytes infiltrate the joints, releasing substances such as IL-1 and TNF-α that accelerate cartilage breakdown. This ongoing inflammation leads to increased pain and reduced mobility, making daily activities more challenging.
Certain lifestyle factors can worsen inflammation and speed up OA progression. Inactivity, excess weight, and poor diet all contribute to systemic inflammation. Regular exercise can help counteract these effects, while a sedentary lifestyle and a diet high in processed foods, saturated fats, and sugars can make things worse. Smoking also plays a harmful role, increasing inflammation and hindering the body’s ability to repair cartilage, further aggravating hand OA.
Manual Therapy and Exercise: Essential Strategies for Managing Hand OA
Manual therapy and exercise are powerful, non-invasive methods for managing hand osteoarthritis (OA). Techniques like joint mobilization and soft tissue manipulation can stimulate the release of natural pain relievers and anti-inflammatory substances, such as endorphins and cytokines. These responses help reduce pain, ease inflammation, and improve joint function, offering significant relief for those with hand OA.
Exercise is equally crucial for maintaining joint health. The right amount of joint pressure during exercise enhances nutrient delivery to the cartilage, promoting cell metabolism and the production of essential components like proteoglycans and type II collagen. This helps preserve cartilage structure and function. Exercise also encourages the release of growth factors and suppresses harmful cytokines, creating an environment that supports cartilage repair. Additionally, by strengthening the muscles around the joints, exercise improves stability and reduces stress on the affected joints, which can mitigate inflammation and slow cartilage degradation.
Manual Therapy Demonstration
In the following video, we demonstrate MSR procedures specifically designed for hand osteoarthritis (OA). Many of our patients have found these techniques highly effective in reducing or even eliminating their symptoms, as well as slowing the progression of hand OA. Ongoing maintenance care has played a key role in achieving these positive outcomes.
Stop Arthritis Pain - Hands and Wrists
In this video, Dr. Abelson, the architect of Motion Specific Release, showcases highly effective procedures for tackling OA in the wrists and hands. These treatments extend relief to individuals with OA through gentle manual techniques zeroing in on precise areas of the hand and wrist.
Fascial Expansion: MSR Wrist & Hand ProtocolÂ
This video demonstrates how fascial expansion techniques can effectively treat wrist and hand pain, offering a holistic approach that integrates a modern understanding of fascia, kinetic chain relationships, and principles from acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine. Specifically, we explore how fascial layers interconnect with acupuncture points like PC7, LU9, TH4, TH5, LI4, LI5, and SI4 to address and alleviate symptoms of Osteoarthritis (OA) in the wrist and hand. These techniques help reduce pain and improve mobility by targeting the interconnected fascial layers and enhancing overall joint function.
Article Index
Treatment Frequency Recommendations
Our treatment plan is personalized to the patient's progress and comfort, with ongoing communication key to adjusting frequency and strategy for optimal results.
Initial Phase:
MSR Manual Therapy:Â 2 sessions per week (15 minutes each) or 1 session per week (30 minutes).
Home Exercises:Â Daily functional exercises prescribed by the MSR practitioner.
Response Assessment:Â After two weeks, evaluate progress.
Positive Response:Â Reduce MSR sessions to 1 per week; continue daily exercises.
Persistent Symptoms:Â Maintain 2 weekly MSR sessions; adjust exercises as needed. Re-evaluate on a weekly basis.
Maintenance Phase:
MSR Manual Therapy:Â Monthly sessions or as needed.
Home Exercises:Â Continue daily, with periodic professional reviews.
Ongoing treatment should continue as long as symptoms improve. If progress stalls, reassess or modify the approach. Transition to maintenance care once consistent relief and optimal function are achieved.
Osteoarthritis Exercises
Exercise is essential in managing osteoarthritis (OA), strengthening joints, improving mobility, and reducing pain. When paired with manual therapy, this combination offers a powerful, synergistic effect. Manual therapy helps by easing pain and improving joint mobility, creating the ideal foundation for exercise. A well-designed exercise routine then builds on these benefits, strengthening muscles around the joints, balancing joint load, and enhancing overall function.
Demonstration Videos
Hands and Thumb - Self-Myofascial Release
This self-myofascial release video is an excellent way to release tension in your hands and fingers. These techniques combine compression, rolling and several pin and stretch procedures.
Hand Mobility Exercises - Bharatnatyam Inspired
In this video, Kamali Abelson, who is trained in classical Indian dance (Bharatnatyam), demonstrates three exercises to increase mobility and neuromuscular control. In Indian dance, hand gestures (Mudras), acting, and pantomime are used to tell sacred tales from Indian Mythology.
Diet Inflammation and OA Disease Progression
A balanced, nutrient-rich diet is crucial for managing hand osteoarthritis (OA) and overall joint health. The right foods can reduce inflammation, slow disease progression, and improve overall well-being. Here’s how specific dietary elements can help:
Omega-3 Fatty Acids:Â Found in salmon, flaxseeds, and walnuts, these fats have strong anti-inflammatory properties, helping to reduce joint inflammation.
Antioxidants:Â Vitamins C and E, beta-carotene, and selenium combat oxidative stress, protecting cartilage and slowing OA progression. Enjoy a variety of colorful fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds to reap these benefits.
Dietary Fiber:Â Present in whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and legumes, fiber promotes a healthy gut and reduces systemic inflammation.
Protein:Â Maintaining muscle mass around the joints is key to reducing stress on them. Include lean meats, fish, eggs, dairy, and plant-based proteins like quinoa and soy in your diet.
Processed Foods and Refined Sugars:Â These foods can trigger inflammatory responses and worsen OA symptoms. Reducing intake can help manage inflammation and protect cartilage.
Saturated Fats:Â Found in processed foods, these fats can increase inflammation and exacerbate OA symptoms.
Trans Fats and Omega-6 Fatty Acids:Â Excess consumption can promote inflammation and worsen OA. Balance your intake to protect joint health.
Insulin Resistance:Â High refined carbohydrate intake can lead to insulin resistance, increasing inflammation and speeding up cartilage breakdown.
Weight Management:Â Maintaining a healthy weight reduces the mechanical load on joints and lowers systemic inflammation, which is especially important for managing hand OA.
Stress and Cortisol:Â High stress levels can increase cortisol, leading to more inflammation and faster cartilage breakdown. Managing stress through sleep and meditation can help reduce OA symptoms.
Hydration:Â Keeping hydrated is essential for maintaining healthy cartilage and joint fluid, which supports smooth joint movement and reduces OA-related friction.
Why Choose Our Approach for Hand Osteoarthritis
Our comprehensive approach to treating hand osteoarthritis (OA) consistently achieves a 90% success rate in reducing pain and improving joint function. Here’s why our method stands out:
Established Expertise:Â Developed by Dr. Brian Abelson, our MSR methodology is backed by over 30 years of clinical experience and the successful treatment of more than 25,000 patients. This ensures you receive the highest standard of care tailored to your specific needs.
Thorough Assessments:Â We conduct detailed evaluations to identify all contributing factors, including cartilage health, joint mobility, and inflammation, which are critical in managing hand OA effectively.
Advanced MSR Procedures:Â Our Motion-Specific Release (MSR) techniques precisely target areas of fascial restrictions and joint dysfunction, providing effective pain relief and improved mobility.
Customized Exercise Programs:Â We design individualized exercise plans that strengthen the muscles around your hand joints, enhance joint stability, and promote long-term function.
Logical, Evidence-Based Approach:Â Our treatment protocols integrate manual therapy, tailored exercises, and dietary recommendations, ensuring a comprehensive and lasting solution for managing hand OA.
Choose our proven, patient-centered approach for effective, long-term relief from hand osteoarthritis. Take the first step toward a more active, pain-free life with confidence.
References
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DR. BRIAN ABELSON, DC. - The Author
With over 30 years of clinical practice and experience in treating over 25,000 patients with a success rate of over 85%, Dr. Abelson created the powerful and effective Motion Specific Release (MSR) Treatment Systems.
As an internationally best-selling author, he aims to educate and share techniques to benefit the broader healthcare community.
A perpetual student himself, Dr. Abelson continually integrates leading-edge techniques into the MSR programs, with a strong emphasis on multidisciplinary care. His work constantly emphasizes patient-centred care and advancing treatment methods. His practice, Kinetic Health, is located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
Why Choose Our MSR Courses and MSR Pro Services?
Elevate your clinical practice with our Motion-Specific Release (MSR) courses and MSR Pro services, designed to provide a comprehensive, evidence-based approach to musculoskeletal care. Here’s why you should join us:
Proven Methodology:Â Developed by Dr. Brian Abelson, an international best-selling author with over 30 years of clinical experience, MSR integrates the most effective elements of osseous and myofascial therapies. With a success rate exceeding 90%, our approach helps set a new industry standard.
Comprehensive Training: Our courses blend rigorous academic content with innovative techniques. You’ll master essential areas like orthopedic and neurological examinations, myofascial treatment, fascial expansions, and osseous adjusting and mobilization.
Extensive Resources:Â As an MSR Pro subscriber, access a vast library of over 200 MSR procedures, fillable PDF forms, instructional videos, and in-depth articles. From patient intake to tailored exercise prescriptions, our resources equip you for clinical success.
Tailored Support:Â Refine your diagnostic skills and expand your treatment techniques with ongoing support through over 750 videos, including 200 technique videos, 250 exercise videos, and 160 MSK articles. This extensive library features over 50 musculoskeletal condition articles, all designed to support you in clinical practice. Our resources are dynamic, with regular updates to articles, technique videos, and new additions to our educational curriculum.
Innovation and Growth:Â We emphasize continuous learning and innovation, giving you the tools to adapt and thrive in complex clinical scenarios. Our courses and resources are designed to foster professional growth, keeping you at the forefront of musculoskeletal therapy.
Unlock your practice's full potential with our MSR courses and MSR Pro services. Achieve outstanding clinical outcomes and join a community of forward-thinking practitioners dedicated to excellence in patient care.