Scientists Find an Unexpected Way To Fight Knee Arthritis

From scitechdaily.com

A long-term analysis of a randomized Russian trial suggests that low-dose radiation therapy could influence the course of early knee osteoarthritis. Among 292 participants, those who received radiation alongside medication experienced more lasting symptom relief and less joint deterioration than those taking medication alone. Nearly 12 years of health records also linked the treatment to less disability.

The strongest apparent benefits emerged in patients with grade 2 osteoarthritis, whose disease was established but not yet advanced. The findings are being presented at the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) Annual Meeting, but larger trials are needed to determine whether radiation truly changes how the disease progresses.

“The most compelling part of this study is how the outcomes fit together,” said Bobby (Nagendra) Koneru, MD, FASTRO, a study author and radiation oncologist at Loyola University in Maywood, Illinois. “Patients experienced sustained improvement in pain and function; MRI showed less joint deterioration, and years later, we saw less disability and, in patients with grade 2 disease, fewer knee replacements. Together, these findings raise the possibility that treatment may influence the longer course of osteoarthritis. That prospect makes it important to confirm in a larger multicentre study whether these findings represent a disease-modifying effect.”

Knee osteoarthritis affects an estimated 365 million people worldwide, making it a major cause of chronic pain and disability. The condition gradually damages cartilage and other joint tissues, leading to stiffness, reduced mobility, and, in severe cases, the need for knee replacement surgery.  Credit: Shutterstock

Why Radiation Is Being Studied For Osteoarthritis

Knee osteoarthritis involves the breakdown of cartilage and other joint tissues, causing pain and limiting movement. Inflammation can help drive that damage. Once cartilage or bone becomes permanently damaged, some patients eventually need a knee replacement.

Exercise, weight management, medications, and injections are commonly used to manage symptoms. They can make movement easier and reduce pain, but most do not reliably prevent further structural damage. That gap has prompted interest in treatments that might protect the joint as well as make it feel better.

Low-dose radiation has been used for decades in parts of Europe to relieve osteoarthritis pain and treat other noncancerous inflammatory conditions, and its use is increasing in the United States. It delivers a small fraction of the radiation used in cancer treatment, with the aim of reducing inflammation.

“Radiation therapy works differently at very low doses,” Dr. Koneru said. “In cancer treatment, we use much higher doses to kill cancer cells or keep them from growing. At the doses used for osteoarthritis, the goal is to reduce inflammation inside the joint.”

Testing Treatment Before Advanced Joint Damage

Previous research showed that low-dose radiation could improve short-term pain and physical function in mild-to-moderate knee osteoarthritis. This analysis examined a broader question: whether those improvements coincided with better joint structure and fewer serious consequences years later.

The trial enrolled people with symptomatic knee osteoarthritis classified as Kellgren-Lawrence grade 0, 1, or 2. These grades range from no definite osteoarthritis visible on X-rays to definite bone spurs and possible early narrowing of the joint space. Patients with grade 0 had evidence of osteoarthritis on MRI. Those with more advanced grade 3 or 4 disease were excluded.

Participants were relatively young, with a median age of 38. At a single Russian institution, they were randomly assigned to glucosamine and chondroitin alone or the same medications plus radiation therapy.

The radiation group received a total dose of 4.5 Gy across 10 treatments. An orthovoltage machine delivered the treatment using low-energy X-rays.

Pain Relief Matched By Less Joint Deterioration

Both groups initially reported less pain, but sustained relief occurred only in the radiation group. Those patients also experienced significantly greater and longer-lasting improvements in physical function and quality of life.

MRI scans followed joint changes for three years. At 12 months, imaging scores showed slight improvement in patients who received radiation, while the medication-only group showed worsening. The significant difference between the groups persisted throughout the imaging follow-up.

Researchers then reviewed regional health records over a median of 11.9 years, looking for knee replacements and government-certified disability attributed to knee osteoarthritis. Across the study population, radiation was associated with a 67% lower adjusted hazard of disability, a statistically significant finding.

Dr. Koneru noted that disability certification provided an independently assessed measure of the disease’s consequences. Together with symptom reports and MRI scans, it offered another way to evaluate whether the early benefits translated into better outcomes later.

Grade 2 Osteoarthritis Showed The Strongest Signal

Among the 78 patients with grade 2 disease, disability developed in 31% of those treated with radiation, compared with 61% of those receiving medication alone. This subgroup had the largest absolute reduction in disability. Knee replacement was also less common among those who received radiation, occurring in 14% of patients compared with 36% of those taking medication alone.

“Grade 2 disease may represent a window where osteoarthritis is established but extensive joint damage has not yet occurred,” Dr. Koneru said. “The combination of less disability and fewer knee replacements in these patients is particularly encouraging. It suggests an opportunity to study whether treating inflammation earlier can change the longer course of the disease.”

The findings make grade 2 osteoarthritis a promising focus for further research. However, the subgroup analysis and long-term outcomes were exploratory and need confirmation in a trial designed specifically to test them. The difference in knee replacement rates also did not reach statistical significance across the full study population.

What Still Needs To Be Confirmed

The study had limitations in both treatment blinding and follow-up. Participants knew which treatment they received, as the control group received medication alone rather than simulated radiation. MRI readers were blinded to treatment assignment, but incomplete follow-up scans limited the imaging data available for analysis.

The study’s single-institution setting also limits how broadly its results can be applied. Differences in health care delivery and access to knee replacement in Russia could affect the long-term outcomes observed elsewhere.

Researchers reported no immediate reactions to radiation and no cancers in the treated area during follow-up. Still, those observations cannot establish long-term safety: the study was not designed to measure uncommon effects that emerge years later or cancer risk over a lifetime, especially among younger patients. Larger studies that follow patients over time will need to examine these risks and determine how long the treatment’s benefits last.

Dr. Koneru said the next step should be a multicentre randomized trial focused on grade 2 disease, with simulated radiation as the control. Defining imaging measures and long-term clinical outcomes in advance would help establish whether the treatment can preserve joint health as well as relieve symptoms.

Looking Beyond Pain Relief

“For osteoarthritis, we have treatments that can help patients feel better, but much less evidence that they can change what is happening inside the joint. What makes these findings interesting is that the patient-reported improvement was accompanied by a measurable difference on MRI,” said Gopal K. Bajaj, MD, MBA, FASTRO, co-chair of ASTRO’s Functional Radiation Medicine Task Force and a radiation oncologist at Inova Schar Cancer Institute in Fairfax, Virginia.

“That moves the question beyond pain relief alone. The long-term disability data add another reason to test whether low-dose radiation can affect the course of early osteoarthritis in a larger, rigorously controlled trial.”

https://scitechdaily.com/scientists-find-an-unexpected-way-to-fight-knee-arthritis/

Nearly 10,000 patients reveal what works best for knee arthritis pain relief

From sciencedaily.com

A major analysis of 139 clinical trials involving nearly 10,000 people suggests that some of the simplest treatments may work best for knee osteoarthritis. Knee braces ranked highest overall for reducing pain, stiffness, and mobility problems, while water-based therapy was especially effective for pain and regular exercise consistently improved both pain and physical function. More high-tech approaches, including ultrasound, generally performed worse.

Knee braces, water therapy, and exercise may be among the most effective drug-free options for people with knee osteoarthritis, according to a large analysis published in the open-access journal PLOS One. The research was led by Yuan Luo of the First People's Hospital of Neijiang, China.

Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is a widespread joint condition that affects millions of older adults. It can cause persistent pain, stiffness, and difficulty moving the knee, sometimes making everyday activities much harder.

Many patients are treated with anti-inflammatory medications, but these drugs can carry gastrointestinal and cardiovascular risks. That has increased interest in treatments that can relieve symptoms without relying on medication.

An analysis of 139 clinical trials found that knee braces, water-based therapy, and exercise were among the most effective drug-free treatments for knee osteoarthritis. Knee braces ranked particularly well, while ultrasound was consistently one of the least effective options. Credit: Shutterstock

Researchers Compare 12 Knee Osteoarthritis Treatments

To determine which non-drug therapies appear to work best, the researchers analysed evidence from 139 clinical trials involving nearly 10,000 people.

The studies evaluated 12 different approaches, including laser therapy, electrical stimulation, knee braces, insoles, kinesiology tape, water-based therapy, exercise, and ultrasound.

Rather than examining each treatment separately, the team used a network meta-analysis. This method allows researchers to compare multiple therapies across many different trials and estimate how each one performs relative to the others.

Knee Braces Perform Particularly Well

Knee braces ranked highly across several important measures. They were associated with reductions in pain and stiffness as well as improvements in physical function.

Hydrotherapy, which involves exercises or treatments performed in warm water, was especially effective for reducing pain. Regular exercise also produced consistent benefits, helping improve both pain and physical function.

Some more technologically advanced treatments also showed promise. High-intensity laser therapy and shock wave therapy produced benefits in certain areas.

Ultrasound, however, repeatedly ranked near the bottom of the treatment comparisons.

Simple Treatments May Have an Advantage

The findings suggest that relatively simple and accessible therapies may be among the strongest options for managing knee osteoarthritis without medication.

The researchers caution that the rankings are not definitive. The 139 studies differed in how they were designed; some involved relatively small groups of participants, and treatment durations varied considerably. Those differences can make it harder to precisely determine which therapy is truly best.

Even with those limitations, the authors concluded that physical therapies appear promising for KOA and could provide useful alternatives to anti-inflammatory medications.

Future research will need to investigate whether combining treatments produces even better results. Researchers also want to determine which approaches provide the greatest benefits relative to their cost.

The authors add: "Knee braces, hydrotherapy, and exercise are the most effective non-drug therapies for knee osteoarthritis. They reduce pain and improve mobility without the gastrointestinal or cardiovascular risks linked to common pain medications. Patients and clinicians should prioritize these evidence-based options."

"Our analysis of nearly 10,000 patients reveals that simple, accessible therapies like knee bracing and water-based exercise outperform high-tech options like ultrasound. This could reshape clinical guidelines to focus on safer, lower-cost interventions."

Journal Reference:

1. Xiao Chen, Yuanhe Fan, Hongliang Tu, Yuan Luo. Clinical efficacy of different therapeutic options for knee osteoarthritis: A network meta-analysis based on randomized clinical trials. PLOS One, 2025; 20 (6): e0324864 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0324864

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/09/260913082208.htm

Canada: Calgary boy’s arthritis diagnosis highlights a disease many still associate only with old age

From ctvnews.ca

September is Arthritis Awareness Month in Canada, shining a spotlight on a disease that can affect far more than joints — and far more than older adults.

For Calgary’s Riley Ostrowski, the diagnosis came when he was just seven years old, after a frightening and confusing stretch of hospital visits, painful symptoms and months without answers.

He woke early one morning crying and unable to move his neck, prompting his family to take him to hospital.

“I feel like it just stopped all of my physical movement,” said Riley.

“I felt it in my ankles, my shoulders and my wrist and I wasn’t even able to walk up or down the stairs.”

Riley Ostrowski

What followed was a 12-day stay at Alberta Children’s Hospital, along with months of appointments, testing and uncertainty before Riley was eventually diagnosed with systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis, or systemic JIA.

Riley’s mother, Jennifer Schultz, says that at its worst, the disease affected as many as 14 of her son’s joints.

“He experienced high fevers, rashes, fatigue, and pain and until this happened, we had no clue kids could get arthritis,” she said.

“It took about four months to get the diagnosis, but the fact that we were able to get treated right away was a Godsend because some families have spent more than a year or two years before they got an answer.”

Riley’s mother, Jennifer Schultz, says that at its worst, the disease affected as many as 14 of her son’s joints

Riley was initially treated with anti-inflammatory medication and steroids before moving to biologic therapy.

His family says the medication made a dramatic difference.

“The treatments have been amazing and work very fast,” Schultz said.

Riley initially received treatment intravenously at Alberta Children’s Hospital every few weeks, but has since transitioned to injections at home.

His condition is now largely in remission, and he has returned to many of the activities he enjoys, including playing baseball.

“I sometimes feel like a normal kid. I was freaked out when I first started having to inject these needles, but I feel a lot stronger,” Riley said.

“I love playing baseball, writing comics, and playing video games. So if there are any other kids out there with juvenile arthritis, it’s the love of your family that makes you strong.”

What is juvenile idiopathic arthritis?

Dr. Marinka Twilt, a paediatric rheumatologist at Alberta Children’s Hospital and professor of paediatrics at the University of Calgary, says juvenile idiopathic arthritis is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system mistakenly attacks the body’s own tissues.

The exact cause is not known and is likely influenced by a combination of genetic and environmental factors.

“It’s nothing that a patient or parent has done wrong, and nothing that they could have prevented from it to happen,” Twilt said.

Juvenile arthritis affects an estimated one in 1,000 children.

Twilt says symptoms in children can sometimes be difficult to recognize because younger patients may adapt to pain rather than complain about it.

“They’ll just find another way to still do what they want to do,” she said.

Some children may stop using an affected joint, become unusually tired or lose the ability or willingness to do activities they previously enjoyed. Younger children may suddenly want to be carried more often or stop running and playing.

“If you see that there’s regression in what they could do before, that would be really a sign to go and see a health-care provider,” Twilt said.

Twilt says treatment options for juvenile arthritis have improved significantly, but awareness remains important because earlier diagnosis can help children access effective treatment sooner.

“Awareness is good for the patient that they’re earlier diagnosed, but then when they’re diagnosed, we have to have access to treatment,” she said.

Building support for families

Cassie + Friends, a Canadian charity supporting children with juvenile arthritis and other rheumatic diseases, says roughly 25,000 children across the country are living with those conditions.

“We really want people to understand that kids get arthritis too,” said David Porte, chair and one of the organization’s founders.

Porte helped establish Cassie + Friends after his own daughter, Cassie, was diagnosed with juvenile arthritis at 20 months old.

The organization now provides families with education, financial and emotional support while also connecting children with others facing similar diagnoses.

Cassie + Friends, a Canadian charity supporting children with juvenile arthritis and other rheumatic diseases, says roughly 25,000 children across the country are living with those conditions

Cassie + Friends is holding a Calgary run and walk at Fish Creek Park on Oct. 3, bringing families, doctors and supporters together to raise awareness and funds.

“The medication is great; that’s what treats a disease. But it’s really building this community around it is what lets the families really thrive together,” Porte said.

“We really want people to understand that kids get arthritis too. We really want people to understand what those symptoms are, what they should be looking for if their child has sore joints in the morning, if they’re complaining about pain, that not to overlook it.”

Porte adds that the community events his team runs across Canada are also a chance to build awareness.

One of the challenges is access to treatment.

“The access is not consistent across the country. The access is not consistent for all kids and families, so that is one of the other things that we’re really working on.”

Growing economic burden in Alberta

Arthritis Society Canada is also using Arthritis Awareness Month to highlight the broader impact of the disease.

According to the organization, arthritis carries an estimated $5.1-billion annual economic cost in Alberta through expenses such as medication and hospital care, as well as lost productivity.

Trish Barbato, president and CEO of Arthritis Society Canada, said the report shows another $10 billion is also attributed to social value loss.

“The social impact cost is a new number. It is related to what do people lose because they’re in pain all the time, because they don’t have mobility.”

The cost of pain, reduced mobility, lost independence and the activities people can no longer take part in means arthritis is now the leading cause of disability across Canada.

Barbato adds that the Alberta figures also show the consequences for both individuals and the health-care system.

“It’s a failing of the system. It’s not a failing of individuals who choose to find another path,” Barbato said when discussing the challenges faced by people trying to access arthritis care.

She says improving access to community-based therapy and education could also help people manage the disease and, in some cases, reduce pressure on the health-care system.

“And so when you think about someone who says, ‘I have a bad knee,’ I always joke, ‘You do not have a bad knee. You have end stage arthritis.’”

“If you’re not mobile, if you can’t walk, that is going to impact your job and your ability to be productive.”

The report projects the overall economic and social burden of arthritis in Canada will rise from $142.4 billion annually today to $222.3 billion by 2055, as the number of people living with the disease is expected to grow from more than six million to at least 10 million.

Primary Care Alberta says arthritis can significantly affect a person’s health, independence and quality of life, and that provincial guidance is available to help health-care providers assess and manage the condition.

It says Albertans can also access supports including arthritis education, physiotherapy, self-management workshops and exercise programs.

https://www.ctvnews.ca/calgary/article/calgary-boys-arthritis-diagnosis-highlights-a-disease-many-still-associate-only-with-old-age/ 

One injection could keep osteoarthritis drugs working for weeks

From sciencedaily.com

Scientists have created an injectable gel that can remain inside arthritic joints for weeks, slowly releasing medication while also improving lubrication. The approach could make it easier to deliver disease-modifying drugs directly where they are needed while limiting exposure elsewhere in the body. 

Scientists at the University at Buffalo have developed an injectable hydrogel designed to keep osteoarthritis treatments inside the joint for much longer than conventional injections.

After a single minimally invasive injection, the material changes from a liquid into a smooth, lubricating semisolid depot at body temperature. Once in place, it can remain in the joint for several weeks while gradually releasing drug-loaded nanocarriers.

A new injectable gel could turn one shot into weeks of targeted osteoarthritis treatment while helping lubricate damaged joints. Credit: Shutterstock

A Major Challenge in Osteoarthritis Treatment

Osteoarthritis (OA) is one of the world's leading causes of chronic pain and disability. Common treatments delivered directly into joints, including analgesics, corticosteroids, and viscosupplements, can ease symptoms, but their effects are often short-lived, and they do not consistently slow the progression of the disease.

One of the biggest obstacles is that small molecule drugs and biologics can be cleared quickly from synovial fluid. Researchers also face challenges when trying to deliver hydrophobic drugs at concentrations high enough to be effective without increasing exposure throughout the rest of the body.

The University at Buffalo hydrogel platform was designed to address both problems by keeping therapeutic compounds concentrated in the joint and releasing them gradually over time.

A Drug Depot That Forms Inside the Joint

The injectable formulation begins as a liquid, allowing it to be delivered with a minimally invasive procedure. At body temperature, it rapidly becomes a lubricious semisolid material that acts as a local drug reservoir.

The platform combines a biocompatible polymer matrix with drug-loaded nanocarriers. These nanocarriers are designed to carry high amounts of poorly soluble therapeutic compounds, which are otherwise difficult to deliver in an aqueous environment.

The system also uses materials with prior regulatory acceptance, a feature intended to make eventual clinical translation more practical.

Once inside the joint, therapeutic compounds are released through diffusion and gradual relaxation of the hydrogel matrix. This process provides controlled local exposure over multiple weeks rather than allowing the medication to disappear rapidly from the joint.

Researchers have validated the approach using a SIRT6 activator. The platform can also be adapted to carry other hydrophobic disease-modifying compounds.

Longer Lasting Drug Delivery and Joint Lubrication

One potential advantage is a longer therapeutic window. By retaining medication locally for an extended period, the system could reduce how often patients need invasive joint injections while also lowering the possibility of systemic side effects.

The hydrogel was also designed with disease modification in mind. Rather than focusing only on pain relief, it could deliver compounds that target biological processes involved in osteoarthritis, including chronic inflammation and cellular senescence.

Another feature is its dual role inside the joint. The material functions both as a sustained-release drug delivery system and as a viscosupplement, meaning it could potentially improve joint lubrication while simultaneously delivering treatments aimed at the underlying disease.

The platform can carry poorly soluble drugs at relatively high concentrations and can be adapted for different therapeutic payloads and joint applications.

Potential Uses Beyond Knee Osteoarthritis

The primary intended application is knee osteoarthritis (large addressable market).

The same technology could also have potential uses in post-traumatic OA, intervertebral disc degeneration, rotator cuff degeneration, and the localized delivery of other hydrophobic drug candidates.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260829235947.htm

Problem-Solving Products Psoriatic Arthritis Warriors Swear By

From healthcentral.com

Even when your meds are working, pain and skin symptoms slip through. We asked our PsA community for items that really make a difference when you need relief 

You can spend a lot of time and money searching for tools that make your life easier with a chronic condition like psoriatic arthritis (PsA), What you really need is to ask people who’ve lived with PsA long enough to have done the trial-and-error work for you. We spoke to three psoriatic arthritis warriors to find out what products have been game-changers for their joints or skin. What is on their must-have shopping list? Their picks may not be sexy or flashy, but they’re the type of present that lets your loved one know: I get you.

Biofreeze

When Hannah Greetham, 29, from Lincolnshire, England, is experiencing aches and pains during a PsA flare, she uses Biofreeze (cold therapy pain relief for sore muscles and joints and arthritic pain) throughout the day. It took Greetham a long time to get a diagnosis of PsA after many years of trying to manage symptoms on her own. “It helps massively—I can really feel it working to temporarily ease pain,” she explains.

https://www.amazon.com/Biofreeze-Professional-Relieving-Analgesic-Arthritis/dp/B01GZQ4FZI

Sketcher Slip-Ins

Greetham often gets really bad aches and pains in the joints in her feet and swollen feet and ankles. But standing and walking is difficult to avoid due to her job (and passion) working with horses. “The only footwear that helps me walk properly and fits my swollen feet is Sketcher Slip-Ins, due to the memory foam insoles,” she says.

https://www.skechers.com/skechers-slip-ins-summits---new-daily/150263_TPE.html

Countrydale Classic Leggings

Whether she’s out with the horses or at home, Greetham’s go-to outfit always includes Countrydale Classic. “They really help with the swelling in my legs, due to great compression,” she says. “Plus, the high waist band provides good back support and they’re super comfortable and stretchy.”

https://www.countrydale.com/products/classic-pull-on-riding-leggings-black

Westlab Epsom Salts

A warm bath can help to ease joint pain, stiffness, and psoriatic skin issues, per the Arthritis Foundation. “I use Westlab Epsom Salts most nights in my bath,” says Greetham. “They really help me relax my aching muscles and joints, and I seem to then get a better night’s sleep.”

https://www.amazon.com/Westlab-Epsom-Resealable-Stand-Pouch/dp/B0733PBRKH

Dove Soap

Research shows around 85% of people with psoriatic arthritis also have a history of skin psoriasis (PsO)—which can rule out a lot of skincare and beauty holiday gifts that may contain triggering ingredients. “After having psoriasis for 50 years, I’ve really come to understand that constant skin care is mandatory for me,” says Tracy Davenport, 62, of Centreville, MD. Davenport first developed psoriasis around age 12, followed by a PsA diagnosis as a young adult. In the five decades following her psoriasis diagnosis, Davenport has come to rely on simple Dove soap to keep flares at bay: “It has no fragrance or colouring and is gentle and less drying than other soaps I have tried.”

https://www.amazon.com/Dove-Anti-Stress-Blue-Chamomile-Moisturizes/dp/B0CP5N76KT

Eucerin Lotion

Living with psoriasis typically means moisturizing multiple times a day. “Keeping my skin moist is critical to keeping my psoriasis in low gear,” says Davenport. “If my skin gets dry, then it can get itchy, and that almost always leads to a psoriasis breakout. Eucerin is gentle on my skin, but it also stays put longer than a lot of lotions I have experimented with over the years.”

https://www.amazon.com/Eucerin-Intensive-Repair-Lotion-Bottle/dp/B000XY9LT4

Vitamin C Serum

Many “anti-aging” products contain retinol, which many people with psoriasis find too harsh for their skin. Instead, Davenport uses vitamin C serum on her face twice a day. “This has also shown ‘anti-aging’ qualities in the literature, but doesn’t seem to bother or dry out my skin,” she explains.

https://www.amazon.com/Vitamin-Serum-Face-Ageing-Brightening/dp/B07P5TMHD9

Thick Yoga Pants

With sons and grandsons in North Carolina and a house in Florida, Davenport flies a lot! “Planes can be cold, which can be a trigger for my joint pain,” she reveals. “So I always dress really warm when I fly—usually the same outfit of thick yoga pants that keep me feeling warm and comfortable throughout the flights and also let me stretch a little before sitting for hours.”

https://www.amazon.com/GYM-PEOPLE-Pockets-Control-Leggings/dp/B07HQPKDZB

Weekly Pill Organizer

Managing multiple medications can be overwhelming. “My weekly pill container is a true lifesaver,” says Emily Hertzberg, 42, of East Meadow, NY. She’s been juggling both PsA and PsO since age 21, and shares her experience with psoriatic disease on her Instagram page to help other PsA warriors feel supported and empowered. “My pill container keeps everything organized and ensures I never miss a dose, especially on those brain fog days when time blurs,” she says.

https://www.amazon.com/EZY-DOSE-Organizer-Compartments-Arthritis/dp/B001OK1YUA/

Heating Pad/Blanket

When PsA joint pain or stiffness sets in, gentle heat can bring instant relief. “I use my heating pad to loosen tight joints, ease muscle tension, and bring comfort during flare days,” says Hertzberg. “It’s like a warm hug for my body!”

https://www.amazon.com/GENIANI-Heating-Relief-Stomach-Adjustable/dp/B0BL157L8M

Flexible Ice Sleeve

A flexible ice sleeve is Hertzberg's go-to for inflammation and swelling. “I use this on and off for a few days to relieve my hot, achy joints,” she explains. “It moulds perfectly around sore knees, elbows, or wrists, giving cooling relief without the mess of ice packs or dripping towels.”

https://www.amazon.com/IceSleeve-Reusable-Flexible-Injuries-Compression/dp/B0DZZLY62Y/

Compression Gloves/Sleeves

Daily tasks can be difficult when PsA flares, but compression gloves or sleeves help to keep swelling joints and provide crucial support. “Whether I’m typing, cooking, or scrolling on my phone, these reduce pain and stiffness so I can stay functional and comfortable,” Hertzberg says.

https://www.amazon.com/Copper-Compression-Arthritis-Gloves-GUARANTEED/dp/B00ZO4WW7Q/

Ergonomic Seat Cushion/Support Pillow

As a teacher and blog writer, Hertzberg often spends long periods sitting. “Comfort truly matters,” she says. “A supportive cushion protects my joints, helps with posture, and makes it easier to work or travel without extra pain.”

https://www.amazon.com/Seat-Cushion-Office-Chair-Desk/dp/B01EBDV9BU/

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