The hooked grip protects the joints of the hand

Arthritis affects not only the elderly but also middle-aged individuals, young people, and even children. This disease can lead to severe limitations in mobility, making daily activities such as household chores, eating, or personal hygiene significantly more difficult. Pain and functional decline can drastically reduce the quality of life for many patients.

In our country, many adults and children require rheumatological care for the treatment of arthritis. Although efforts toward recovery do not always address the root of the problem, appropriate therapy can slow the progression of the disease and improve the quality of life for those affected. Pain relief and maintaining mobility are essential. At the same time, patients must actively participate in their treatment, adopting suitable forms of exercise and lifestyle changes to protect their joints.

Experts emphasize that joint protection is also recommended for healthy individuals, as awareness and the application of proper movement techniques are crucial for preventing musculoskeletal problems. Dr. Judit Ortutay, president of the Hungarian Association of Rheumatic Patients, provides detailed advice on joint protection that can benefit both patients and healthy individuals.

The Importance of Joint Protection

The essence of joint protection is to minimize harmful forces acting on the joints during daily activities. Mastering proper movement forms and techniques allows us to use the body’s muscles effectively, thereby reducing unnecessary strain. Knowing the rules necessary for joint protection can be beneficial for everyone, regardless of whether they are affected by the disease.

The most important thing is to find a balance between rest and load. Understanding our load-bearing capacity is crucial, as we must act accordingly in different situations. By applying optimal movement forms and sharing tasks, the load on the joints becomes more even, thus reducing the risk of injuries.

Using the right tools is also essential. Thicker-handled tools can help reduce strain, and using a hook grip can also be gentle on the joints. When doing household chores, it is advisable to use specialized tools that make tasks easier, helping to avoid unnecessary exertion.

Protecting the Wrist Joint

The wrist joint plays a crucial role in daily activities, as we constantly use it from household chores to eating. Therefore, diseases of the wrist joint can cause significant mobility limitations, impacting the quality of life for patients. It is important to apply proper load and movement forms to maintain the health of the bones, tendons, muscles, and nerves in the joint.

Dr. Ortutay emphasizes that anyone can learn how to properly load their wrist, which movements to avoid, and how to perform various activities. The essence of joint-protective movement is to avoid harmful forces and thus preserve joint health.

There are several gripping techniques worth mastering, such as the pencil grip, handle grip, key grip, and cylinder grip. These techniques help ensure that the wrist joints do not suffer from excessive strain, thus reducing the risk of injuries. To protect the wrist, always pay attention to using the correct grips, and if necessary, use assistive devices.

Protecting the Joints of the Feet and Spine

Protecting the joints of the feet is also essential, as wearing appropriate footwear can help create even load distribution. Wearing inappropriate shoes can contribute to diseases of the foot and ankle joints, so it is important to choose comfortable and supportive footwear that fits our feet.

Various exercises and programs are available to protect the spine, such as spinal schools, which help strengthen the supporting muscles. These exercises not only target the spine but also strengthen the back and abdominal muscles, contributing to the stability and health of the entire body.

In addition to movement forms, proper posture is key to protecting the spine. During daily activities, be careful not to overload the spine unnecessarily and adhere to correct posture rules, thereby reducing the risk of injuries and the onset of pain.

Tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow are also common problems that can occur during sports. These injuries usually result from overexertion of the muscles and tendons, leading to painful inflammations. By applying proper movement forms and suitable training programs, these issues can be prevented.

Overall, to protect our joints, it is important to consciously pay attention to our movements, loads, and posture. With the right lifestyle and proper movement techniques, we can significantly reduce the risk of injuries and diseases, thus improving our quality of life.