"Indoor walking healed my pain!”

Living with aches and stiffness caused by osteoarthritis, Tamara Walker had pain that threatened to take over her life and end the career she loved. Fearing that she'd never feel healthy again, she was thrilled to find that she could ease her agony with one simple step

- Gina Roberts-Grey

There hasn’t been any reprieve for my pain in so long, thought Tamara Walker, 54, as she prepared to head out for what was sure to be a long day. For Tamara, diagnosed with osteoarthritis in both hips in her 20s, then in her knees before turning 40, dealing with swollen, stiff and aching joints was a big part of her daily routine. Day after day, pain made it tough for Tamara to sleep well, leaving her feeling exhausted and mentally fuzzy throughout her day as she worked as a certified doula, a trained professional who provides nonmedical support to women in labor.

Many times, her arthritis required Tamara to spend so much energy just to push through the aches, pains and fatigue she experienced while helping expectant moms bring their children into the world, that she didn’t have the ability to fully concentrate on day-to-day tasks like making dinner, running errands or enjoying a conversation with her husband.

Over the years, her symptoms worsened to the point that they were also interfering with the pastimes she enjoyed most, like reading to her grandchildren or helping them work a puzzle. Living with chronic pain and the related tiredness also lead to Tamara becoming physically inactive, as even low-impact activities like pickleball ramped up her arthritis symptoms.

Tamara tried to get her pain under control with over-the-counter and natural remedies like heat and ice, creams and pain relievers, but nothing worked, and she didn’t want to take prescription painkillers.