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Houston Physicians’ Hospital understands that joint pain can be frustrating. From aching knees to a stiff back, joint pain can hinder movement and cause difficulty when performing everyday tasks. Those suffering from joint pain may find yoga to be a relaxing and helpful way to ease the pain. Here, we’ve listed some of the top yoga poses to reduce joint pain and help you get back to your daily life:

 

Sun Salutations

A particularly beneficial pose to do in the morning, sun salutations stretch the spine and can help wake up your muscles. To perform this move, stand with both of your feet touching as you bring your hands together, palms touching. Raise both arms upward as you exhale and slowly bend backward while stretching your arms above your head.

 

Cow Pose

While the name may sound funny, the cow pose is beneficial to reducing tension felt in the joints. The pose is simple to master. Get on all fours with your hands shoulder-width apart. Keep your hands directly under your shoulders and your fingers widely spread. The knees should be aligned right under your hips. Bring your chest forward and up as you allow your shoulder blades to press down toward your waist. Tip your pelvis up and back.

 

Bridge Pose

Bridges are particularly helpful in improving posture, which can reduce pain in the back and shoulders. Lie on the floor with your feet firmly planted and your knees facing towards the ceiling. As you exhale, push your feet and arms firmly into the floor. Raise your tailbone until your thighs are parallel to the floor. Keep your knees directly over your heels during this move.

 

Crescent Lunge

The crescent lunge pose is a great pose for those suffering pain in the hip joints. Start by positioning yourself in a standard lunge position. Drop your right knee to the floor and lengthen your tailbone in the same direction as your right heel. Slide your right knee forward and breathe deeply as you lift and stretch your arms.

 

Child’s Pose

Those suffering from more severe joint pain may find this pose beneficial, as it provides a really gentle stretch. Begin this pose by dropping to your knees and spreading them wide enough for your big toes to touch.  Position your hips so that they are resting on top of your heels. Stretch your arms forward onto the ground.

 

Downward-Facing Dog

This popular position helps improve flexibility and reduce joint pain by stretching and lengthening the spine. To begin, position yourself on all fours with your knees directly below your hips. Place your hands just slightly in front of your shoulders.  Exhale as you push your knees away from the floor. Lengthen your tailbone away from the back of your pelvis and press it gently toward the upper part of your hips. Lift the sitting bones upward and draw the inner legs up into the groin area, away from your ankles.

 

Many people suffering from joint pain have turned to yoga to improve flexibility, strengthen muscles, and reduce the aching feeling in their joints. However, some cases require more care than yoga alone. If you are suffering from chronic joint pain, give Houston Physicians’ Hospital a call at (281) 557-5620.

Some people dread the word “healthy.” Being healthy shouldn’t be a chore, but more of a lifestyle. A healthy life starts with small choices. From your diet to your sleep schedule, it’s easy to be healthy. You are not alone because we’re all human. Everyone has a rest day and there is nothing wrong with treating yourself occasionally. So, start practicing these five healthy tips and you’ll thank us later…

1. Drink more water
2. Eat less sugar
3. Cook at home
4. Get 30 minutes of exercise
5. Remember to relax

 

Drink More Water

Probably one of the simplest things you can do to start being healthier is drink water. Water will always hydrate you. Especially if you are an athlete or live in a warmer area, you need plenty of water. Water saves our bodies from cramps and heat stroke while flushing out impurities. Even some fruits and vegetables count toward your water intake, like cucumber and watermelon. Drink more water to start living healthier.

 

Eat Less Sugar

Drinks like tea are hydrating as well, but when you add sugar they are not as beneficial. Artificial sugars have little nutritional value. Over time, consuming large amounts of sugar increases your blood pressure and chances of heart disease. If you have a sweet tooth, try replacing cookies and snack cakes with fruit. The natural sugar found in fruit is fine and remember, fruit is also hydrating.

 

Cook at Home

Living healthy is all about taking control of your diet, sleep, and physical activity. Start taking control of what you eat by cooking at home. When you go out to eat or pick up fast food, there is no telling what exactly goes into your meal. When you cook at home, you use your own ingredients and control the portions. You can also customize your homemade dish by adding your favorite spices or toppings. There are always trending recipes or cookbooks available online.

 

Get 30 Minutes of Exercise

Our bodies want to be active. So, we recommend getting at least 30 minutes of exercise each day. The great thing is that you can get those 30 minutes done by doing your favorite activities. In the summer, go swimming for 30 minutes or in the winter, try a yoga class. Do what makes you happy and healthy. Regular exercise is good for your mental health, heart and body weight. If you have time to exercise more than 30 minutes, that’s even better.

 

Remember to Relax

Emotional stress causes physical stress too. Certain conditions like chronic pain syndrome or fibromyalgia are onset by stress and anxiety. So, learn to relax. Exercise is an excellent way to relieve stress while staying healthy. If you feel like your stress may be getting worse, talk to your doctor. Your physician can help you relax while treating any physical pain you may have. Another part of being healthy is recognizing when you need help.

 

Ask for Help

There are endless resources for starting a healthy life. Houston Physicians’ Hospital is proud to serve Houston, Webster, Friendswood, Pasadena and the surrounding areas with healthy tips. We are one of the leading hospitals in Texas and the entire country for patient care and satisfaction. Contact HPH if you have questions about living healthier or would like to schedule an appointment with one of our physicians.

Our bodies are delicate and complex. In fact, the human body is made up of hundreds of bones and billions of nerves. Every system in our body has its own purpose and function. Your spine is one of the most important parts of the body though. The spinal cord makes up the nervous system and musculoskeletal system. Since the spine is so valuable, there are several conditions and pains that result from your vertebrae. Pain may start because of tissues, nerves or bones in the spine. Our backbone is responsible for supporting the body in more ways than one so, always care for your spine with these 4 steps…

1. Diagnose your spine pain
2. Treat the spine then the symptoms
3. Let your spine recover
4. Prevent future spine pain

 

Diagnosis

On your own, it’s difficult to diagnose a problem with the spine. The spine causes more types of pain than you think. Of course, back pain often relates to the spinal cord. However, neck, shoulder, hip and even foot pain can all start because of a problem with the spine. So, a diagnosis is your first step for reaching pain relief.

We recommend seeing a doctor that specializes in spine care. Physicians who treat spine pain include neurosurgeons, orthopedists, and pain specialists. If you visit your doctor because of a constant pain in the shoulder, do not be surprised if your diagnosis is a spine condition.

 

Treatment

To fully heal from your diagnosis, follow your doctor’s instructions. Your physician will treat the condition itself so the symptoms eventually go away as you heal. Therefore, if you begin to self-diagnose, you’ll most likely start to ease your symptoms, not the spinal cord. Addressing your pain symptoms is only temporary pain relief. You need to treat the spine so you can fully heal and move to recovery.

 

Recovery

Remember, the main goal of your treatment is to let the spine recover. You need time to heal, but if you get enough rest and follow your doctor’s orders, your body should fully recover. In addition to resting, you may also take medication and attend physical therapy sessions. Your treatment and recovery plan depends on your level of pain and the condition of your spine.

 

Prevention

Once your spine heals and recovers from previous symptoms, it’s up to you to prevent further pain. If your spine treatment includes surgery, you may have certain limitations afterward. You may also be advised to limit activity that caused your initial spine problem. Work with your doctor so you know the best way to prevent future spine pain.

Houston Physicians’ Hospital offers a variety of hospital services in Webster, Texas. HPH has multiple physicians and departments that are dedicated to treating spine conditions. Our facility is even recognized by Healthgrades.com because of our spinal fusion surgery. Call Houston Physicians’ Hospital today and see what our hospital has to offer for spine disorders, back pain, and similar conditions.

Chronic knee pain is a common condition with painful symptoms. Your specific symptoms depend on your diagnosis and the condition itself. However, intense knee pain haunts hundreds of thousands of Americans every day. If you feel knee problems like burning, swelling, and numbness in your knees, you are not alone. The most important thing you can do for your knee problems is finding the right treatment. Instead of living with pain and letting your knees get worse over time, consider a chronic knee pain treatment that will improve your health. At last, there is a hospital that is changing the way we see chronic knee pain in Houston, Texas.

 

Chronic Knee Pain and Knee Replacement Surgery

If you live with knee problems for several years, it may be too late to reverse the damage to your knees. In some cases, rest allows the knees to recover on their own. Years of chronic knee pain often requires some form of knee surgery though. Visit an orthopedic specialist who can properly diagnose your type of knee pain and the condition affecting your knees. Your doctor will then recommend a treatment to reduce the pain, like knee replacement surgery. There is a total knee replacement and a partial knee replacement. Both are common procedures for treating knee pain symptoms.

If you choose a knee replacement surgery for your chronic knee pain, do your research. Knee replacement surgeries are an outpatient procedure so you will have a hospital stay and need rehabilitation afterward. Hospitals in Houston, Texas are all different and each hospital has its own specialty. For example, Houston Physicians’ Hospital specializes in orthopedics and sports medicine. HPH is in Southeast Houston, near Webster, Texas, and we use a comprehensive approach for our knee replacement patients.

 

Orthopedic Center of Excellence for Chronic Knee Pain

Houston Physicians’ Hospital uses the Orthopedic Center of Excellence for knee replacement physical therapy. Even though knee replacement surgery reduces chronic knee pain, patients need a safe place to recover. Our physical therapy team monitors patients as they regain strength and begin walking faster than the national average. Patients track their performance and develop new skills at the Orthopedic Center of Excellence of Houston Physicians’ Hospital. The Orthopedic Center of Excellence stands out among other physical therapy programs because HPH is changing the way we see chronic knee pain.

The Orthopedic Center of Excellence of Houston Physicians’ Hospital offers:

• Surgery preparation
• Private patient suites
• Group activities and exercises
• Physical therapy instructors and coaches
• 93% patient satisfaction

 

With robotic surgery and an emphasis on physical therapy, chronic knee pain is no longer a daily struggle for Houstonians. There are treatment options available for knee arthritis, knee osteoporosis, knee injuries and other causes of chronic knee pain. Enjoy a healthy lifestyle full of activity after visiting Houston Physicians’ Hospital. We create an atmosphere for joint success. If you are living with chronic knee pain, call HPH and see if the Orthopedic Center of Excellence is right for you. We are accepting new patients and ready to treat any type of chronic knee pain. For more information about the Orthopedic Center of Excellence at Houston Physicians’ Hospital, call 281-557-4614.

During the summer months, baseball and softball are popular sports for all ages. From little league to college sports and MLB, athletes play baseball all summer long. However, your baseball plans end early when you suffer from an injury. Of course, there are occasional sprains and strains, but there are specifics injuries that you commonly see in baseball. In fact, these baseball injuries are seen in athletes at every age. Grown athletes and professionals are more susceptible to injury because of their age the frequency that they play. Young athletes and their parents should be aware and take caution before heading out to your next baseball practice or softball game. Softball and baseball players are vulnerable to these injuries at every age.

 

The Most Common Baseball and Softball Injuries

1. Meniscus Tear

The main elements of softball and baseball are catching, throwing, running and hitting. Each of these activities put stress on different parts of our bodies. For example, any time you are running, the knees are bending back and forth while supporting your body weight. Also, when hitting the ball, your knees are twisting from one direction to another. If you forget to stretch before your baseball game, your risk of a meniscus tear increases. The meniscus provides the knee bones with cushioning and support, but any kind of tear is painful to athletes. Small meniscus tears heal naturally while more serious injuries need sports medicine treatment.

2. Rotator Cuff Tear

A rotator cuff tear is common for softball and baseball pitchers. Even though pitchers have special rest days and more time between their games, the speed and power they use to throw the ball cause shoulder injuries. Overuse of the shoulder muscles and tendons is the main cause, to be exact. Shoulder pain for baseball or softball players may start as tendonitis. Eventually, if this joint pain and inflammation goes on without treatment, the tendons will tear. In most cases, tendonitis heals with rest, but a rotator cuff tear will need shoulder surgery.

3. Elbow Tendonitis (Tennis Elbow)

Another part of the body that suffers from tendonitis is the elbow. You may recognize this diagnosis as tennis elbow, even though it applies to other sports like baseball and softball. So, don’t think elbow problems are only for tennis players. Elbow tendonitis is a common injury in baseball too. Again, overuse is the cause of this joint pain. Extra stress on the elbow when hitting or pitching leads to elbow tendonitis, especially when the player is not getting enough rest after their games or practices.

4. Hand Injuries

Lastly, your hands are vulnerable to injury during softball and baseball games. When players are on defense and guarding the field, they are diving and doing anything they can to make their play. If a catch or landing goes wrong, players injure their hands, fingers and wrists. Hand injuries also occur when sliding into base. Harsh contact with the base can dislocate a finger or the wrist. It’s difficult for baseball players to avoid these injuries when sliding because they are sudden.

 

Treatment and Recovery for Baseball Players

Baseball players are vulnerable to meniscus tears, rotator cuff tears, elbow tendonitis and hand injuries at every age. Softball players are vulnerable to these sports-injuries as well. Prevent overuse by resting and giving your body time to relax. If you are a player, coach or family member, remind athletes to take caution before and after their games. Houston Physicians’ Hospital has a sports medicine department that treats athletes and sports injuries at every age. We also have an excellent physical therapy program for your rehabilitation and recovery. Contact Houston Physicians’ Hospital in Webster, Texas for more information about sports medicine or physical therapy.

Sports activities are one of the easiest ways to get exercise. Often, your doctor or physical therapist may even suggest picking up a new sport. One activity that is popular for men and women of all ages is tennis. Tennis players may start as children or pick up the sport even during their retirement years. Tennis helps with cardio and conditioning, but it may also cause joint pain later. Many have heard of the painful disorder known as tennis elbow. However, “tennis hip” exists as well. Since this hip injury is like tennis elbow, the hip joint will suffer from familiar chronic pain symptoms.

 

Range of Motion

Tennis is not a contact sport, but tennis players are always moving. Back and forth, left to right or jumping up and down are some of the normal movements for serious tennis players. The constant motion and patterns do have benefits like weight loss and heart health. Tennis keeps people moving. Eventually, these same movements may be the cause of chronic pain though. Tennis hip is a common hip injury that results when there is major stress to the joint from turning and pivoting moves seen in this sport. If players do not pivot or move their hips as much, the injury will quickly affect the shoulder and elbow instead.

 

Tennis Hip Symptoms

Tennis elbow is a common injury for this sport. If a player’s elbow begins to hurt, it is easy to assume that the disorder may be tennis elbow. Tennis hip has its own symptoms too. Not only will tennis players begin feeling chronic hip pain, the joint will feel stiff. The stiffness may even keep players from moving in certain directions. For example, tennis hip is a common hip injury that makes side to side motions more difficult for patients. Similar conditions that affect the hip are tendonitis and snapping hip. These injuries are mainly due to the overuse of the hip muscles.

 

Remember to Stretch!

Stretching before a tennis game is extremely important. Stretching allows for the body to loosen and relax before intense activity. It is just as important to stretch afterward too. Tennis players may be tired, but stretching the hips will help with the player’s cool down. Hip stretches will calm the body, muscles, and heart. Remember to always stretch before and after to avoid a common hip injury. Simple hip stretches can make a big difference when it comes to chronic hip pain and tennis hip symptoms.

 

If you believe you have tennis hip symptoms, tennis elbow or other conditions that relate to your sport, contact Houston Physicians’ Hospital. We have a sports medicine program as well as physical therapy that can help you get back in the game.