Living with arthritis affects far more than joints, it impacts daily routines, emotional well-being, and long-term health. As millions face chronic pain and mobility challenges, new treatments and support systems are offering hope. At Seven Acres and The Medallion, our fantastic team of physical and occupational therapists help residents manage symptoms through targeted therapy, personalized exercise plans, and daily strategies that build strength and independence.
Dr. Amir Tariq, Director of Rehabilitation, emphasizes that consistent intervention can make a meaningful difference for people of all ages living with arthritis.
“There is no cure or way to completely prevent arthritis, but there are ways to slow its progression and protect your joints,” he says.
Here are five ways Dr. Tariq recommends preventing further damage:
1. Maintain a healthy weight through good nutrition
Keeping a healthy weight reduces stress on your joints and can slow the progression of arthritis.
2. Exercise daily.
Even a daily walk can make a big difference, especially as you get older. The key is consistency, keeping a routine helps your joints, muscles, and overall endurance.
3. Take your medications as directed.
Medications can have side effects, so it’s important to take them only as prescribed. Everyone’s body reacts differently, and following your doctor’s guidance minimizes risks.
4. Use warm showers to ease stiffness.
A warm shower in the morning can help relieve pain, increase flexibility, and reduce stiffness after sleeping.
5. Keep your doctor informed about your symptoms.
Monitoring your condition is important to ensure it’s not progressing too quickly. Sudden changes in lifestyle due to rapid progression can be challenging both physically and mentally.
By following these strategies and working closely with Seven Acres’ team of professionals, people living with arthritis can maintain mobility, reduce discomfort, and preserve quality of life. Dr. Tariq also hosts monthly lectures at The Medallion covering a range of health topics related to physical therapy.
“The main idea is so our residents can feel comfortable,” said Dr. Tariq. “I hope to help our residents build rapport and confidence, ask questions openly, and enjoy while learning.”
For more information about our physical therapy services, please contact Amir Tariq at (713) 778-5700, extension 829, or via email at amir.tariq@selectrehab.com. For information on additional services, please visit our website at sevenacres.org.
Living with Arthritis: 5 Ways to Prevent More Damage
Living with arthritis affects far more than joints—it shapes daily routines, emotional well-being, and long-term health. As millions face chronic pain and mobility challenges, new treatments and support systems are offering hope. At Seven Acres and The Medallion, the Select Rehabilitation team is helping residents manage symptoms through targeted therapy, personalized exercise plans, and daily strategies that build strength and independence.
Dr. Amir Tariq, Director of Rehabilitation, says consistent intervention can make a meaningful difference for people of all ages living with arthritis.
“As far as the research goes there is no cure or preventative technic to stop you from getting arthritis but there are ways to prevent the progression of it,” he said.
Here are 5 ways Dr. Tariq says will help prevent more damage
1. Maintain a healthy weight by eating healthily.
2. Exercise daily. Even a daily walk will help keep your joints healthy.
“Especially as you get older in age a daily walk can make a difference just setting that up and doing it. The main thing is sticking with it and just kind of keep that routine going and it good for your joints and muscles and overall endurance.
3. Take your medication as directed.
“Every medication has a side effect so you don’t want to take medication for something you don’t need to and risk yourself of having side effects. Side effects sometime may be mild but sometimes may be severe. Everybody body is going to react differently to a certain degree.
4. Try taking a warm shower in the morning.
“It will definitely help with pain relief, help with flexibility. It releases some of the stiffness that somebody may have in the morning after sleeping.”
5. Keep your doctor informed of how you are feeling.
“We wanna keep an eye on it to make sure it’s not progressing too quickly because that can be life changing. If the disease progresses too quickly and you have to make sudden changes in your lifestyle it demanding and not just physically but also mentally.
The exercises that I teach the group are mainly about the arthritic exercises that present in your hands but ther. To get the motion in your hands moving and flexibility in your hands and fingers. With arthir one of the most presentable signs is in your hands
As far as the research goes there is no cure or preventative technic to stop you from getting arthritis. It’s been linked to genetics, its also been linked to previous injuries so art can just occur…its not a blueprint that everybody’s going to get arthritis. So not everybody gets it but if you do, there are ways to prevent the progression of it. We want to slow that down aand anything that we do to slow it down will grant us an extension of independence.