Honestly, when I first heard about vision boards, I thought they were all about luxury vacations and six-figure dreams. Back pain didn’t seem like the kind of thing you’d put on a board filled with palm trees and sports cars. But after years of dealing with lower back issues, I realized—visualizing relief and a lifestyle…
When I first started dealing with chronic back pain, I had no idea how much my emotional well-being would play into it. Doctors talked about posture, herniated discs, muscle imbalances—but no one ever mentioned the mental weight I carried daily. Over time, I found something surprisingly powerful that helped me cope: journaling. Not in a…
If you’re anything like me, you’re always up for something a little wild in the name of wellness. I’ve jumped on trends like infrared saunas, turmeric shots, and yes—even cold water swimming. What started as a “dare-you-to” challenge with a friend turned into a semi-regular part of my week. But here’s the kicker: I have…
If you’ve ever caught your reflection and noticed that exaggerated inward curve in your lower back—yep, that’s lordosis. For years, I thought it was just part of my posture quirks. Turns out, it was the silent culprit behind my nagging lower back pain that flared up after long drives or hours behind a desk. If…
If you’re like most of my patients, you’ve probably spent countless mornings trying to figure out how to start your day without that familiar joint stiffness dragging you down. Believe me, I get it. As a Rheumatology nurse practitioner, I’ve had so many conversations that start with the same question: “Is there a *daily routine…
Living with RA and poor sleep patterns can feel like you’re stuck in a vicious cycle that just keeps spinning. As a Rheumatology nurse practitioner, I’ve seen it firsthand—patients tossing and turning at night, only to wake up feeling like they ran a marathon in their sleep. And let me tell you, it’s not just…
Living with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) means learning how to work *with* your body instead of against it. And let me tell you, one of the most common things my patients ask is how to strengthen hands with rheumatoid arthritis without flaring things up. As a rheumatology nurse practitioner, I’ve seen firsthand how frustrating it can…
If you’re dealing with rheumatoid arthritis and the best stretches for knee pain are on your radar, you’re absolutely not alone. As a Rheumatology Nurse Practitioner, I see so many patients who quietly suffer through their day, unsure if that stiffness in their knees is just “getting older” or something more serious. I totally get…
As a Rheumatology Nurse Practitioner, I’ve spent years helping people manage chronic conditions like rheumatoid arthritis (RA). One of the most common complaints I hear from patients is the morning hand stiffness they experience. If you’re someone who’s struggling with this too, you’re not alone. It can be incredibly frustrating to wake up in the…