Adventuring with Arthritis

Dr. Alyssa Kuhn, PT

Move with more confidence, build strength, and keep doing the activities you love. Join Dr. Alyssa Kuhn, physical therapist and osteoarthritis specialist, for practical exercise tips designed to help you improve mobility, balance, strength, and joint health. Whether you are navigating arthritis, stiffness, weakness, or simply want to stay active as you get older, you’ll find approachable strategies and joint-friendly exercises you can use in everyday life. Follow Adventuring with Arthritis and learn how to keep your adventure alive.

  1. 2d ago

    3 Exercises to REDUCE Hip Stiffness + 3 that may be making pain WORSE

    Do your hips feel stiff after sitting? If standing up leaves you hunched over, unsteady, or struggling through your first few steps, these gentle hip arthritis exercises may help your body feel more prepared to move. In this episode, physical therapist and osteoarthritis specialist Dr. Alyssa Kuhn shares three simple movements for hip stiffness after sitting. You can perform the first two exercises while seated, making them helpful at home, at work, while traveling, or before getting out of a chair. You’ll learn how to: • Activate your glutes and hamstrings before standing• Gently engage the muscles along the sides of your hips• Use side-to-side weight shifts to prepare your hips for walking• Adjust each movement based on your comfort and ability• Recognize three common seated exercises that may irritate sensitive hips These exercises may be especially helpful if you experience hip osteoarthritis, groin stiffness, difficulty standing after sitting, discomfort during your first few steps, or stiffness after traveling. The goal is not to force your hips through pain. It is to use comfortable movement to help your muscles become active and make the transition from sitting to walking feel smoother. Want more guided workouts created specifically for people with osteoarthritis and joint pain? Start your free trial of Adventurers for Life:https://keeptheadventurealive.com/start Share this episode with someone who struggles with stiff hips after sitting and help them discover a more comfortable way to get moving again. This episode is for educational purposes and is not a substitute for individualized medical advice. Complete at your own risk.

  2. 4d ago

    5 exercises to STRENGTHEN arthritic knees WITHOUT more pain

    Looking for knee arthritis pain relief without surgery? In this episode, physical therapist Alyssa Kuhn shares five knee-strengthening exercises designed to help you build stronger, more supportive muscles without overwhelming painful knees. You’ll begin with simple seated movements and gradually work toward more challenging exercises for walking, stairs, balance, squats, and lunges. Each exercise includes easier options, practical modifications, and a clear goal to help you decide when you may be ready to move forward. You’ll learn how to practice: • Seated leg extensions for stronger thighs• Standing heel lifts for the backs of your legs• Modified chair squats without plopping into the chair• Front-foot elevated lunges for knee strength and stair confidence• A supported balance exercise that strengthens your legs and hips Whether you have knee osteoarthritis, stiff or painful knees, difficulty climbing stairs, or uncertainty about exercising with arthritis, this episode will help you find a manageable place to begin. You do not need to push through significant pain or attempt every exercise at once. Start with the movement that fits your current ability, listen to your body, and gradually build toward about 20 comfortable repetitions. Ready for more guidance? Start your free trial of Adventurers for Life and follow a progressive workout program designed specifically for people with osteoarthritis and joint pain:https://keeptheadventurealive.com/start Discover how stronger leg and hip muscles can support your knees, improve everyday movement, and help you stay active with greater confidence. This episode is for educational purposes and is not a substitute for individualized medical advice. Complete at your own risk.

  3. Sep 12

    5 Chair Exercises for Hip Pain, Stiffness and Weakness

    Strengthen stiff, weak, or painful hips with five simple chair exercises you can do at home. These seated hip exercises work the muscles surrounding the entire hip joint to help improve mobility and make walking, stair climbing, and everyday movement feel easier. Physical therapist and osteoarthritis specialist Dr. Alyssa Kuhn guides you through: • Seated marches for the front of the hips and core• Seated side steps for hip strength and mobility• Pillow squeezes for the inner thighs• Heel push-downs for the glutes and backs of the hips• Seated straight leg raises for the thighs, hips, and core You’ll also learn modifications for each exercise, including easier options for limited strength or mobility and resistance-band variations when you are ready for more challenge. These joint-friendly chair exercises are especially helpful for older adults and anyone navigating hip arthritis, hip stiffness, weakness, difficulty walking, or trouble climbing stairs. Start with one or two exercises or complete all five for a well-rounded seated hip-strengthening routine. Ready for more than individual exercises? Adventurers for Life gives you a step-by-step, joint-friendly workout plan based on your current abilities, so you can build strength, balance, and mobility without guessing what to do next. Start your free 14-day trial. No credit card required:https://keeptheadventurealive.com/start Not medical advice. Try at your own risk.

  4. Sep 11

    Is Walking Enough Exercise After 50? Build Strength, Balance & Mobility

    Is walking every day enough exercise to keep your legs strong, your joints supported, and your balance steady as you get older? Walking is excellent exercise, but it may not challenge your body enough to maintain the strength and mobility needed for stairs, lower chairs, uneven ground, and other everyday activities. In this episode, physical therapist and osteoarthritis specialist Dr. Alyssa Kuhn explains the important gaps that walking alone may leave and how to fill them with just a few minutes of additional movement. You’ll learn simple exercises to help you: • Build leg strength with sit-to-stands• Improve side-to-side balance with lateral steps• Strengthen different muscles with backward stepping• Reduce hip stiffness with hip circles• Maintain knee mobility with alternating knee bends• Feel stronger and more confident while walking and climbing stairs Each exercise can be modified based on your current strength, balance, and mobility. You don’t have to give up walking or add a long workout. These short strength, balance, and mobility exercises can complement your daily walk and help your body stay prepared for the activities you love. Ready for a complete plan instead of guessing which exercises to do? Adventurers for Life gives you a step-by-step, joint-friendly workout path based on your current abilities. Start your free 14-day trial. No credit card required:https://keeptheadventurealive.com/start

5
out of 5
46 Ratings

About

Move with more confidence, build strength, and keep doing the activities you love. Join Dr. Alyssa Kuhn, physical therapist and osteoarthritis specialist, for practical exercise tips designed to help you improve mobility, balance, strength, and joint health. Whether you are navigating arthritis, stiffness, weakness, or simply want to stay active as you get older, you’ll find approachable strategies and joint-friendly exercises you can use in everyday life. Follow Adventuring with Arthritis and learn how to keep your adventure alive.

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