Eczema can have a significant impact on various aspects of a person's life, affecting physical health, emotional well-being, and overall quality of life. Having a skin condition like eczema can influence how you perceive yourself, interact with others, and navigate the world around you. It is not just a matter of physical discomfort or inconvenience as it can also affect your emotional, social and personal wellbeing. Eczema is more common among women compared to men, as they are more likely to work in professions that involve frequent use of water, such as hairdressing, catering, cleaning, and other care and service careers1.
The symptoms of eczema, including itching, redness, dryness, and inflammation, can cause significant physical discomfort, irritation, and pain. These symptoms will affect your daily life, as they can disrupt your sleep patterns, leading to difficulty falling asleep, frequent awakenings during the night, and overall poor sleep quality. Additionally, they will also affect your performance in daily activities, including school, sports activities, work, and peer relationships.
When eczema flare-ups occur, the symptoms can also interfere with your daily activities and routines, making it difficult for you to perform tasks such as bathing, dressing, and applying skincare products. You may find yourself avoiding or limiting your participation in certain activities, especially those involving sweating, exposure to water, or contact with irritants, as they may exacerbate eczema symptoms2.
Besides affecting your physical well-being, living with a chronic skin condition like eczema can also take a toll on your mental health and emotional well-being. With visible skin lesions, it may be distracting and challenging for you to focus on tasks or interact with others effectively. Additionally, if you suffer from eczema, you may also need to take time off for medical appointments or to manage flare-ups. These factors can lead to increased stress, anxiety, depression, social isolation, and feelings of self-consciousness or embarrassment about your appearance.
If you are looking to avoid using steroids, you can consider other treatments such as hydrogen therapy. Hydrogen treatment doesn’t involve any invasive procedures or injections since the use of hydrogen to treat eczema is 100% natural, safe, and pain-free. Moreover, it will also help you feel calm and relaxed, which would also improve your mental well-being.
With its potential health benefits, hydrogen is known for its anti-inflammatory properties and works on a cellular level to reduce inflammation in your body. Additionally, it selectively eliminates toxic free radicals and helps control the level of oxidative stress. This is why consistent use of hydrogen therapy and hydrogen water every day might help you manage flare-ups and find comfort in performing your daily activities.
Discover the best solutions for your skin by exploring our hydrogen therapy and personalized treatment plans designed to address your specific eczema needs. Start your journey to healthier, more comfortable skin today!
Osteoarthritis ataupun radang sendi tulang merupakan penyakit sendi kronik yang berlaku akibat daripada kerosakan pada tulang rawan (cartilage). Ia juga boleh berlaku pada mana-mana sendi namun lebih kerap berlaku pada bahagian sendi lutut dan bahu. Selain itu, sendi lain yang sering dikaitkan dengan osteoarthritis termasuk jari, pinggul, dan tulang belakang.
Walaupun sakit lutut selalunya berlaku kepada individu yang berumur, namun pada hakikatnya ia juga boleh terjadi kepada golongan muda. Satu kajian menyatakan bahawa julat umur pesakit yang mengalami sakit radang sendi boleh bermula dari seawal umur 38 tahun sehingga 83 tahun. Justeru, terdapat beberapa keadaan dimana anda perlu tahu boleh meningkatkan risiko seseorang untuk lebih mudah terkena sakit lutut.
Rujukan: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8381666/
Keadaan yang berisiko untuk menyebabkan seseorang itu mengalami sakit sendi lutut
1. Mempunyai berat badan yang berlebihan
Mereka yang mempunyai berat badan yang berlebihan adalah lebih cenderung untuk mendapat sakit lutut. Ini adalah kerana, tekanan pada sendi lutut yang bergerak adalah lebih besar jika dibandingkan dengan seseorang yang mempunyai berat badan yang terkawal. Jadi kesannya akan dapat dilihat pada peningkatan kadar penggunaan lutut yang lebih tinggi dan peningkatan kadar penggunaan tulang rawan (cartilage) yang sekaligus meningkatkan risiko osteoartritis.
2. Kurang melakukan aktiviti regangan otot
Otot yang kuat berfungsi untuk memberi perlindungan kepada bahagian sendi yang berdekatan. Oleh itu, jika kekuatan daya tahan otot menjadi lemah ia juga tidak dapat untuk memberikan perlindungan yang baik ke atas sendi yang sekaligus memudahkan ia untuk cedera dengan lebih mudah.
3. Melakukan kerja dan aktiviti yang berisiko
Aktiviti bersukan yang melibatkan larian, berbasikal dan melompat biasanya akan lebih berisiko untuk mendapat kecederaan lutut. Jika dilakukan dalam jangka masa yang lama akan menyebabkan penggunaan sendi lutut berlebihan justeru berisiko tinggi mendapat osteoarthritis pada usia muda. Selain itu, individu yang bekerja sebagai guru, pekerja buruh, petani, pemandu bas, trak, dan lori juga berisiko mendapat sakit sendi lutut atas sebab berdiri terlalu lama ataupun melibatkan aktiviti yang memberikan tekanan kepada sendi lutut.
4. Individu yang pernah mengalami kecederaan lama
Kebiasaannya mereka yang pernah mengalami kecederaan yang berulang kali pada lutut juga akan cenderung untuk mengalami osteoarthritis lutut.
Tanda-Tanda Sakit Lutut
Bagaimana hidrogen dapat membantu merawat sakit radang sendi (Osteoarthritis)?
Amalkan gaya hidup sihat untuk mengelakkan diri anda dari mengalami sakit lutut pada usia muda. Jika anda ada mengalami masalah sakit lutut, Hi-Bliss boleh membantu mengurangkan rasa sakit dan ketidakselesaan anda. Dapatkan rawatan anda sekarang di pusat fisioterapi kami!
Once a person catches COVID, it doesn't always go away easily. Approximately 10-35% of COVID survivors suffer from Long Covid whilst 85% of those who were hospitalised as a result of COVID experienced severe post-COVID symptoms.
Credit: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9846887/
Even after the line fades on the test, many COVID patients still find themselves facing long-term illnesses such as fatigue, shortness of breath, 'brain fog' and insomnia. But what if there was a solution?
When COVID enters your body, it enters deep into your lungs, into the Alveoli. It is a small organ that medicine normally cannot reach. This means that lung disease is difficult to treat conventionally. The only exception to this is: Molecular Hydrogen.
In China, Molecular Hydrogen is utilized in their post-Coronavirus treatment programs. Let's explore why Hydrogen helps Post-COVID symptoms.
1. Antioxidant
The antioxidative effects of molecular hydrogen neutralises toxic free radicals formed in the lungs by the COVID virus, which relieves oxidative stress and repairs cells. Hydrogen selectively targets the bad free radicals while leaving all other cells untouched. The only byproduct of this neutralisation is water! As Hydrogen is capable of selectively neutralising toxic free radicals without affecting other body cells, it means that there are no side-effects or contraindications.
2. Anti-Inflammatory
Inflammation is your body's natural response to disease but chronic inflammation can lead to long-term health issues. When your body recovers poorly post-COVID, it's because your body's inflammatory response is ringing its alarm bells while it detects the oxidative stress in your body. By neutralising free radicals, Hydrogen relieves your body's inflammation.
3. Improves Sleep
Oxidative stress can affect sleep. By neutralising it, Hydrogen helps you get the sleep you deserve. Also, when your body is less inflamed, sleep becomes more comfortable and natural.
4. Boosts Energy
Fatigue is a common Post-COVID symptom. With Hydrogen's reparative effect on cells, it brings back your cell's ability to generate energy to give your body the boost it needs. Furthermore, with Hydrogen, you'd be sleeping better which means that you'd have more energy during the day!
Discover how molecular hydrogen aids Post-COVID recovery: https://youtu.be/Kzdw5XnOiZk?si=UtQOoQLT5jRgWffG
Our Post-COVID Recovery Care Plan
Hi-Bliss Hydrogen Therapy combines the curative effects of Molecular Hydrogen with our certified physiotherapists to help patients recover after contracting COVID. Beyond just treating the symptoms, Hi-Bliss Hydrogen Therapy also guides you on lifestyle changes that supplement our Hydrogen Therapy to help you solve your health conditions from its root cause.
If you are interested in finding out how Hi-Bliss Hydrogen Therapy can help you, make your appointment now!
Knee problems can affect both men and women. Whether due to athletics, aging, injury, or posture, all can be factors contributing to knee pain. However, women are reported to be 2 to 8 times more likely than men to experience knee pain and injuries, regardless of their level of physical activity1. The World Health Organization also states that 60% of osteoarthritis patients are women2. But how does this happen?
The unique qualities of women's knees can be observed through the differences in their hips. Women's hips tend to be slightly wider than men's, affecting the positioning of their leg bones in relation to the pelvis. Their knees are more likely to tilt inward while the ankles remain spaced apart. This can result in increased stress on the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), the crucial tissue that connects and stabilizes the thigh bone to the shin at the knee joint. The variation in alignment can also impact the way they walk, run, and perform other lower-body movements.
2. Hormones
Estrogen is known to have positive effects on maintaining bone density and promoting increased flexibility in joints. However, during the menstrual cycle, estrogen levels fluctuate, and when this occurs, it may be associated with a higher likelihood of knee and ankle injuries.
3. Muscle imbalance
In women's muscle development, their quadriceps (front thigh muscles) tend to become stronger than the hamstrings (back thigh muscles), creating an imbalance in muscle strength that can potentially affect joint stability and function. This imbalance becomes evident during activities such as running, jumping, or even simple movements like walking, putting increased stress on the knee joint. This imbalance may contribute to issues such as knee pain, instability, or an elevated risk of injuries, including anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries during those activities.
4.Wearing heels for long period of times
The heightened stress resulting from habitual wearing of high-heeled shoes among women can potentially impact the alignment and function of the knee joint during each step. When wearing heels, the body’s weight shifts forward, placing increased pressure on the balls of the feet and altering the distribution of forces throughout the lower limbs. Over an extended period, the repetitive stress and altered biomechanics associated with wearing high heels can lead to chronic issues.
If knee pain persists, worsens, or is accompanied by other concerning symptoms, it is advisable to seek medical advice for a proper diagnosis and treatment plan. However, if the pain is mild or moderate, it can also be treated at home with self-care measures. Here are some self-care measures that may help alleviate mild knee pain3.
R - Rest: Give your knee some time to rest and avoid activities that may worsen the pain. This can help prevent further irritation or strain.
I - Ice (Cold Packs): Applying ice packs to the affected area can help reduce inflammation and numb the pain. Avoid applying ice directly to the skin. Wrap the ice in a towel or use an ice pack to apply on the painful area. Apply it to the knee for about 15-20 minutes at a time.
C - Compression: Use a compression bandage to help reduce swelling and provide support to the knee. Ensure that the bandage is tight enough to support circulation but not too tight to hamper it.
E - Elevation: Elevating the leg when resting can help minimize swelling. Prop your leg up on a pillow or cushion to keep it elevated.
Practice gentle and low-impact exercises to maintain flexibility and strength in the knee. Always warm up before exercising and cool down afterward. Stretch the muscles in the front of your thigh (quadriceps) and in the back of your thigh (hamstrings).
Being overweight can put excessive strain on your knee. Therefore, maintaining a healthy weight through proper diet and exercise can help alleviate stress on the knees.
Wearing shoes with cushioned insoles can help reduce strain on your knees and alleviate knee pain. Choosing supportive and comfortable shoes can also contribute to proper alignment, especially during weight-bearing activities.
However, if your knees are experiencing severe pain, do not delay seeking medical help. It's essential to listen to your body and avoid pushing through severe pain. If home remedies do not bring relief, or if the pain persists, consult with a healthcare professional and physiotherapist for a thorough evaluation and appropriate treatment recommendations.
Hi-Bliss Hydrogen therapy combines molecular hydrogen with physiotherapy to address various health conditions, including muscle and joint pain. At Hi-Bliss, we have successfully assisted over 1000 customers suffering from joint pain, particularly in the knee and shoulder areas.
Our hydrogen therapy treatment is primarily 100% natural and non-invasive. You can rest assured as the treatment is pain-free and has no side effects afterward. During the session, patients may experience the infusion of cool air onto their skin, promoting a sense of calm and relaxation.
Moreover, hydrogen's unique ability to selectively eliminate toxic free radicals causing oxidative stress and reduce inflammation in the joint area helps prevent further damage to joint tissues. This therapeutic effect has proven effective in reducing knee pain and providing long-term relief. Protect yourself from potential knee injuries in the future. If you're experiencing pain in your knee or any joint area, consult with a healthcare professional to prevent worsening. Take proactive steps towards healthier joints today with Hi-Bliss!
Cancer is a formidable disease that affects millions of lives worldwide. In 2020 alone, over 40,000 cancer diagnoses were made in Malaysia. Chemotherapy, one of the most common treatments for cancer, plays a crucial role in combating this illness. While chemotherapy can be effective, it often brings about various side effects that can significantly impact a patient's quality of life.
However, advancements in medical research have paved the way for complementary therapies such as hydrogen therapy, which holds promise in improving the chemotherapy experience. In this article, we will delve into what to expect before, during, and after chemotherapy, and explore how hydrogen therapy can enhance this process, providing patients with a more comfortable and supportive journey.
What is Chemotherapy?
Before we can understand how Hydrogen can help you, let’s dive into what chemotherapy is and how it helps you fight cancer.
Coming from the words Chemical and Therapy, Chemotherapy is a systemic treatment that involves the use of drugs to target and destroy cancer cells. A systemic treatment is a type of treatment that travels through the bloodstream to reach all parts of your body.
What Comes Before Chemotherapy?
After a cancer diagnosis is made, medical professionals may recommend chemotherapy as a means to treat the cancer. There are a few types of chemotherapy which are considered:
Curative chemotherapy is a treatment that is administered with the goal of completely neutralising the cancer and preventing the recurrence of cancer.
Also known as preoperative chemotherapy, neoadjuvant chemotherapy refers to chemotherapy drugs that are administered before operations to remove a tumour. This is usually to shrink the tumour to make it more operable.
Adjuvant Chemotherapy is administered after primary treatment programs to prevent or reduce the risk of the return of cancer.
Palliative Chemotherapy is administered when the cancer is spread throughout the body and the goal behind the treatment is not to cure the patient but to improve their quality of life.
Before beginning chemotherapy, patients undergo thorough assessments and consultations with medical professionals to determine the best treatment plan. This includes:
During Chemotherapy
During chemotherapy, patients receive medications through different methods, such as oral pills, injections, or intravenous infusions.
The treatment works by interfering with the growth and division of cancer cells, but it can also affect healthy cells, leading to side effects like hair loss, nausea, fatigue, and a weakened immune system.
After Chemotherapy
After completing a chemotherapy session, patients undergo regular follow-ups and assessments to monitor the progress of the treatment and manage any ongoing side effects. The duration and frequency of chemotherapy sessions vary depending on the type and stage of cancer, as well as the individual patient's response to treatment.
Palliative Care
Palliative care aims to enhance the quality of life for patients facing serious illnesses, including cancer. It focuses on providing relief from the symptoms and side effects of the disease and its treatments, as well as addressing the emotional and psychological aspects of the patient's journey. Palliative care can be offered alongside curative treatments like chemotherapy, providing support and comfort to patients and their families.
Hydrogen Therapy and its Benefits for Chemotherapy Patients
Hydrogen therapy, also known as hydrogen gas therapy or molecular hydrogen therapy, involves the administration of hydrogen gas to the body. This emerging field of research has shown potential in mitigating the side effects of chemotherapy and improving overall well-being.
Studies suggest that hydrogen gas possesses antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, which can help counteract the oxidative stress and inflammation induced by chemotherapy. This, in turn, may reduce the severity of side effects and improve the overall tolerance of treatment.
Moreover, hydrogen therapy has demonstrated the potential in supporting the immune system, promote tissue repair, and enhance overall recovery. By providing a protective effect on healthy cells, hydrogen therapy may help reduce damage caused by chemotherapy, allowing patients to better withstand their treatment regimen.
If you or a loved one is currently undergoing chemotherapy, you can consider Hi-Bliss Hydrogen Therapy as a complementary treatment program to improve your quality of life during your cancer treatment and a means to expedite your road to recovery.
If you are interested in trying out our Hydrogen Therapy, feel free to visit our branches at:
Bangsar Shopping Center
Lot F115C, First Floor,
Bangsar Shopping Centre,
285 Jalan Maarof, Bukit Bandaraya,
59000 Kuala Lumpur.
Contact: +6012-687 8922
Starling Mall
S212 Level 2, The Starling Mall,
No 6 Jalan SS 21 /37, Damansara Uptown
47400 Petaling Jaya, Selangor.
Contact: +6012-716 8729
Jalan Macalister, Penang
No. 133, Macalister Road
10400 George Town, Pulau Pinang
Contact: +6012-637 8729
References:
Knee Pain is a condition that many people of all ages face during their lives. It can have a wide variety of causes and may happen suddenly with great intensity or may manifest as a dull ache over a long period of time.
Over 50% of Malaysians are either overweight or obese. This means that if you aren’t overweight yourself, you are very likely to know a person who is overweight or obese. Structures of the Anterior Knee such as the Patella, the largest sesamoid bone in the body, experience forces equal to up to five times our body weight. Having a high body weight can contribute to these bones and joints overworking to compensate. More wear and tear will occur on the knee as a result.
The most common form of Knee Injury is Knee Sprain. According to a study, strains and pains accounted for more than 40% of knee injuries. A study conducted in 2015 estimates that 32% and 57% of all knee strains and sprains occurred at a sports venue.
One of the major sources of knee injuries comes from Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Injuries. These injuries are common in athletes who participate in sports that involve a lot of high-impact pivoting movements. This includes sports like football (also known as soccer in the United States), basketball and badminton.
Another sports-related knee injury is the Meniscus Tear which occurs in sports that involve a lot of twisting and tackling of the knee.
As you get older, your muscles and bones start to deteriorate. This can cause weakness and pain in your joints. Furthermore, as you get older, the Menisci (cushioning in your knees) will start to wear away causing a condition known as Osteoarthritis.
Known also as a Popliteal Cyst, a Baker Cyst is a fluid-filled cyst that may manifest at the back of the knee causing stiffness and discomfort. These cysts normally form due to meniscus tears or osteoarthritis. This happens as a result of the body’s response to inflammation – increasing the flow of synovial fluid until it accumulates behind the knee.
Non-surgical treatment options are available for managing Baker Cysts such as the usage of NSAIDs (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs), Steroid Injections and Aspiration (removal of the fluids). However, large cysts that are causing nerve or vascular problems may be removed via excision surgery.
If you are suffering from Osteoarthritis of the knee, you will likely experience pain while walking, particularly when going up or down inclines like hills or stairs. You may hear a grinding or grating sound in your joints while moving it. In severe cases, your knees might even buckle, causing imbalance or difficulty in balancing. We have written an article about Osteoarthritis, click here to read it.
Osgood-Schlatter Disease is a type of swelling below the knee joint along the tendons on the front of the knee. It is caused by irritation of the bone growth plate and mainly affects children, especially growing children who are active in sports.
This condition usually goes away with ample bed rest and a reduction of intensive activity for children who are susceptible to the condition. Ice Packs after activity and the usage of knee pads may help reduce the effects of the condition. Medicine such as acetaminophen or NSAIDs may be used as advised by your doctor.
Bone infections are also known as osteomyelitis and they may be responsible for acute or chronic knee pains. It occurs when bacteria enters the bone through your bloodstream or through an open wound. Symptoms of osteomyelitis include fevers, chills, local swelling and general discomfort.
Treatment is usually conducted with antibiotics to kill off the harmful bacteria and, in severe cases, surgery.
Though certain knee pain conditions require medical intervention by your doctor, here are some things you can do at home to assist your recovery journey.
Bedrest is an important aspect of recovering from bouts of knee pain as movement can cause compression on the knee joint which prevents it from recovering as quickly as it should. When lying down, keep your knee raised to reduce swelling. You can use a pillow underneath your knee while sleeping to keep it elevated.
Icing the area is another thing you can do from your home to improve recovery from knee injuries. Wrap some ice cubes or an ice pack in a bundle of cloth and apply it to the swollen or painful areas. Refrain from pressing the ice directly onto the skin to prevent discomfort or injury.
Always warm up before exercise and cool down after you are done. This can be done by conducting some stretches of the muscles on the front and back of your thighs, your quadriceps and your hamstrings. Watch this video for some simple stretching exercises as taught by our Hi-Bliss Physiotherapists
As your knee joint bears a lot of weight during daily activities, it is important to reduce the impact where possible. This includes walking down inclines (downhill) instead of running. When it comes to exercise choice, instead of running or jumping, consider cycling or swimming.
As we have mentioned before, obesity plays a huge factor in your joint health. Managing your weight can bring many healthcare benefits including improving your cardiovascular health, your lungs and even your mood! If you are suffering from weight-related knee pain, you should consider speaking to your doctor or a dietician about weight loss options.
Physiotherapy isn’t necessarily only for those with injuries. You may consider physiotherapy as a preventative route to reduce your risk of knee pain or injury. Physiotherapists can help by strengthening your surrounding muscles to help give your knee joint more support.
We already suggested physiotherapy in the previous section but what if there was something better than just physiotherapy?
Hi-Bliss Hydrogen Therapy combines the anti-inflammatory properties of Molecular Hydrogen and a team of highly-trained physiotherapists to help people who are suffering from knee pain improve their condition and reclaim their active and healthy lives.
During your first session with Hi-Bliss, our physiotherapists will conduct a few health assessments to identify the state of your condition. It will be helpful to bring some of your scans or medical reports from previous doctor visits.
Then, our therapists will perform a palpation check, a sense-of-touch test to identify muscle weaknesses and stiffnesses.
When that is done and treatment points are identified, our physiotherapists will spray molecular hydrogen gas onto your body.
Hydrogen gas is non-invasive but due to its nature as the smallest molecule, it can penetrate your skin painlessly to relieve inflammation in your body and joints. This is done by reducing oxidative stress by neutralising free radicals. There are no side effects to Hydrogen Therapy so no worries and no fuss. All you need to do while undergoing Hydrogen Therapy is just relax!
After being sprayed with Hydrogen gas, our therapists will conduct manipulation on your body. This includes some static stretching and massages.
Finally, your Hi-Bliss Therapist will teach you some basic stretching and strengthening exercises to do at home for a holistic healing experience.
Osteoarthritis (also known as OA) is a joint condition that affects a significant number of people worldwide, especially older individuals. It is the most common form of arthritis and is a major cause of disability in the elderly population. Osteoarthritis occurs when the cartilage that normally cushions the joints starts to break down, this causes the bones in the joint to not have that much-needed protective layer between them. This causes more friction on the bones and can cause a wide array of symptoms.
Joints that are commonly affected by this condition are mainly weight-bearing joints such as the knees, hips and spinal joints. Osteoarthritis has also been observed in fingers, wrists and elbows too.
The main symptoms of osteoarthritis are joint pain & stiffness. This can cause mobility issues and may affect your ability to remain active. In most cases, symptoms come in waves and can be tied to your activity level and external factors like the weather.
You are most likely to be suffering from Osteoarthritis if you are experiencing:
A common form of osteoarthritis encountered is Knee Osteoarthritis. If you are suffering from Osteoarthritis of the knee, you will likely experience pain while walking, particularly when going up or down inclines like hills or stairs. You may hear a grinding or grating sound in your joints while moving it. In severe cases, your knees might even buckle, causing imbalance or difficulty in balancing.
As Osteoarthritis is a leading condition among the elderly, it can be said that there are many risk factors that could contribute to people being afflicted with this condition. Some of these risk factors are within your control but not all of them are.
Firstly, we have joint overuse. Jobs with high physical demand, mainly blue-collar jobs, can cause joints to work overtime every day. This daily overworking of the joints can wear and tear on your joints which can contribute to the development of Osteoarthritis. Examples of job activities that may cause OA in the future include jobs that require:
This is why it is important to take frequent breaks while on the job, especially as you get older. This also applies to people who participate often in high-impact sports like sprinting, boxing or acrobatics.
Obesity is a major cause of many health conditions and puts you at risk of developing many severe chronic health issues, osteoarthritis is one of them. According to the John Hopkins Arthritis Center, overweight people have 4-5 times more risk of developing Knee OA compared to a non-obese person! This is likely due to the increased pressure on the weight-bearing joints like the lower back and knees. Managing your weight through a caloric deficit and frequent low-impact exercise like swimming can help prevent osteoarthritis that can occur as a result of obesity.
Poor posture places pressure on your joints. Your head weighs as much as a bowling ball and is supported by your neck, shoulder and upper back muscles. You only get to rest your neck while sleeping. Keeping a poor neck posture places a lot of stress on the joints as your muscles will be stretched out to compensate for the poor posture. In the long-term, poor posture will contribute to wear and tear of your muscles and joints and can develop into osteoarthritis. Most readers will be reading this article on a laptop or phone, this is your reminder to lift your chin and straighten your back!
Though people cannot inherit osteoarthritis as a condition, the predisposition to developing osteoarthritis can be genetically inherited. However, the pattern of inheritance or respective genes is still unknown. If you have parents who have suffered from osteoarthritis, then it is important to go for frequent screenings and prevent the preventable risk factors of osteoarthritis as described earlier in this article.
Aging is one of the greatest risk factors for Osteoarthritis and aging is also unavoidable. However, it is important to note that OA is not inevitable for those who are getting older. As a person gets older, their cartilage becomes more brittle, their bone structure weakens and their muscles will degenerate. These all contribute to increased pressure on the joints and can contribute to osteoarthritis.
Arthritis that develops after an injury is called post-traumatic arthritis. This type of arthritis accounts for 10% of OA cases and affects more than 5 million people globally each year. Joint injuries are 7 times more likely to develop into arthritis compared to joints that have not experienced any trauma. As injuries are inevitable in life, the most we can do to manage this risk factor is to ensure that we receive appropriate care and rest for the injured joint while it recovers.
As mentioned above, obese individuals are more likely to develop OA in the future. Extra fat also contributes to changes in cartilage production in the body. There are many safe ways to lose weight including managing your caloric intake and exercising frequently. For more options on weight loss, you should consult a healthcare professional such as a dietician or a doctor.
Diabetes is a risk factor that can contribute to osteoarthritis development. Conduct frequent blood tests to monitor your blood sugar.
Low-Impact Exercises refer to exercises you can do without placing high impact on your joints. Low-impact exercises like swimming or brisk walking are great for strengthening your muscles, losing weight and reducing pressure on your joints. It is recommended to get at least 30 minutes of exercise or 6,000 steps a day. Though it may be challenging to start exercising frequently, discipline becomes a habit eventually so don’t give up!
If you experience joint pain that lasts for more than an hour after exercise, you may have caused injury or overworked that joint. Rest the joint and use an ice pack or a hot pack to relieve the inflammation. Consider visiting a physiotherapist or a doctor to assess your condition.
There is no cure for osteoarthritis but there are ways to manage it through medication, devices and tools, therapies, and in severe cases, surgeries.
Medications that may be used include pain relievers, Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and Counterirritants. There are options available over the counter and as prescribed by the doctor. Anti-inflammatory medication such as corticosteroids can be administered by your doctor.
Exercise is a key component of managing osteoarthritis after developing it. These exercises include strengthening, stretching, balance and cardiovascular exercises. Combined with a diet plan to lose weight, these exercises will help strengthen your body and help reduce pressure on your joints.
Joint replacement surgery by an orthopaedic surgeon may be an option for you in severe cases. An orthopaedic surgeon will help identify what is the best procedure to be done depending on which joints are damaged and how badly.
Hi-Bliss Hydrogen Therapy combines the anti-inflammatory properties of Molecular Hydrogen and a team of highly-trained physiotherapists to help people who are suffering from osteoarthritis improve their condition and reclaim their active and healthy lives.
During your first session with Hi-Bliss, our physiotherapists will conduct a few health assessments to identify the state of your condition. It will be helpful to bring some of your scans or medical reports from previous doctor visits.
Then, our therapists will perform a palpation check, a sense-of-touch test to identify muscle weaknesses and stiffnesses.
When that is done and treatment points are identified, our physiotherapists will spray molecular hydrogen gas onto your body.
Hydrogen gas is non-invasive but due to its nature as the smallest molecule, it can penetrate your skin painlessly to relieve inflammation in your body and joints. This is done by reducing oxidative stress by neutralising free radicals. There are no side effects to Hydrogen Therapy so no worries and no fuss. All you need to do while undergoing Hydrogen Therapy is just relax!
After being sprayed with Hydrogen gas, our therapists will conduct manipulation on your body. This includes some static stretching and massages.
Finally, your Hi-Bliss Therapist will teach you some basic stretching and strengthening exercises to do at home for a holistic healing experience.
At Hi-Bliss, a leading wellness centre in Malaysia, we had the privilege of treating Mr. Ballim and his family from South Africa with our Hydrogen Therapy Muscle & Joint Program. They came to us seeking relief from various health conditions, including chronic upper back pain, Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) and back pain, Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis (JRA) and a knee injury.
Our dedicated team of physiotherapists provided attentive care to Mr. Ballim and his family, and we are thrilled to report that they all experienced significant improvements in their health conditions. Mr. Ahmed, who had been suffering from chronic upper back pain, experienced a vast improvement in his pain after just two weeks of treatment. Mrs. Ballim, who had been struggling with CKD and back pain, experienced significant pain relief after just one week of therapy. Their granddaughter, who had been dealing with JRA and a knee injury, experienced increased strength and mobility.
We take great pride in our Muscle & Joint Program, which was tailored to meet the individual needs of each of our patients, and we are delighted that Mr. Ballim and his family found relief and healing through our Hydrogen Therapy program.
We encourage anyone seeking relief from chronic pain or other health issues to consider exploring the potential benefits of Hydrogen Therapy. At Hi-Bliss, we are committed to providing safe, effective, and compassionate care to all of our patients.
Learn more about our Muscle & Joint Program here: https://hi-bliss.com/muscle-joint-programs/
Initially struggling with limited mobility, Mdm Low had difficulty performing everyday tasks like lifting her arms and raising her legs, which greatly affected her quality of life. Through the expert guidance and care of the dedicated team at Hi-Bliss, Mdm Low was able to regain her strength and mobility.
Mdm Low started her journey with us with complaints of pain in her right arm and difficulty of lifting fully. Her left upper arm also had a lot of tightness. This impeded her daily life and her ability to comfortably wear her clothes.
After her consultation with our Hi-Bliss Health Consultants, she was prescribed our Muscle & Joint Program.
After only 3 sessions, she saw significant improvement in mobility and range of motion. Her lateral arm raises moved from 120 degrees of movement to 165 degrees of movement while her front arm raises improved from 110 degrees to 150 degrees.
If you are interested in improving your strength and mobility, we recommend that you visit our centres and discuss your health condition with our healthcare consultants.
Learn more about our Muscle & Joint Program here: https://hi-bliss.com/muscle-joint-programs/
A conversational webinar about osteoarthritis, its causes and various methods to manage it via physiotherapy and hydrogen therapy. This talk was held on the 3rd of July 2022 with speakers Dr Noor Azliyana Bt Azizan and Prof. Dr. Yeong Chai Hong. Dr Noor has a PhD in Health Sciences from Universiti Teknologi MAR and is a Senior Lecturer for the Centre of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, UiTM. Dr Yeong has a PhD in Medical Physics from University of Malaya and is a Professor of the School of Medicine, Taylor's University.
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