Charlotte Pain Specialists Share 8 Tips To Keep Your Joints Healthy
It’s easy to forget about your joints until you start having health issues that affect them. In fact, your joints are one of the most important structures in your body because they are critical to your mobility and, thus, your health. Yet, most of us don’t give them a second thought.
Unfortunately, over time, our joints will begin to experience wear and tear and may become prone to a long list of joint disorders. Joint pain is a condition that can be felt in multiple parts of the body. Several factors, including age, past injuries, weight, and repetitive use are responsible for joint pain. In some cases, the affected joint may feel stiff, achy, or hot with a “burning” sensation.
Thankfully, taking care of your joints can prevent you from developing many joint conditions. Proper care can also help you effectively manage age-related degenerative changes to your joint health.
Whether you have joint pain or not, your joint health is important. Read more and learn about simple ways to keep your joints healthy.
1. Keep Moving
To maintain your joint health, you need to keep moving. Unfortunately, many people who have a joint condition often resist physical activities because they assume movement will increase their pain. In addition, they also refuse to exercise because they’re afraid they may worsen their joint condition.
However, joints are made to move. Moving helps you increase your joint strength, flexibility, and stability. For example, a brisk walk in the morning can help you lubricate your joints, and regular walks can even give you better flexibility. You can also try out low-impact exercises and stretches, such as swimming, squats, and heel raises, to help you strengthen your joints.
2. Manage Your Weight
Maintaining a healthy weight is critical to your joint health. Carrying around excess weight exerts more pressure on your weight-bearing joints. That’s why, if you’re overweight, the best thing you can do for your joints is to lose weight, especially for the sake of your knees.
Besides the effect it has on your knee joints, being overweight or obese can also affect your hip joints and back as well. Simple ways to shed extra body weight include:
- Developing a sustainable exercise regimen
- Eating healthy
- Avoiding a sedentary lifestyle
3. Quit Smoking
Many people don’t know that smoking increases your chances of developing joint pain and joint conditions. The tobacco in cigarettes actually decreases bone density and also disrupts the blood supply to your joints. These factors are what increases your chances of developing osteoporosis and fractures.
4. Give Up Alcohol
Most people are unaware that alcohol can increase their chances of developing joint pain. One of the major consequences of heavy alcohol use is inflammation. This makes the symptoms of joint pain and joint conditions such as arthritis much worse over time.
Besides that, alcohol also counteracts the effects of the anti-inflammatory medications you may be using to manage your joint pain. If you notice that your joints hurt after drinking, then it’s time to start weaning yourself off of alcohol to protect your joint health.
5. Eat Joint-Healthy Foods
Not all types of food are good for you, and some are especially bad for your joints. Similarly, certain types of food are capable of keeping joint pain and arthritis symptoms under control. A good rule of thumb is to limit or avoid foods that increase inflammation and include more foods that decrease inflammation in your diet.
Food types such as salmon and tuna are rich in omega-3 fats, which have anti-inflammatory properties. These foods have been shown to reduce the stiffness and swelling that are usually associated with joint pain. Sugar-sweetened beverages, processed red meats, and alcohol, on the other hand, are not healthy for the joints and only increase inflammation.
6. Keep Your Bones Strong
Keeping your bones strong and healthy is important for maintaining healthy joints. You can keep your bones strong and healthy by prioritizing vitamin D and calcium in your diet. Vitamin D is essential for optimal calcium absorption. Fortunately, it can be easily and naturally obtained through sun exposure and diet. You can also take supplements if you are unable to get enough sun exposure or vitamin D in your diet.
7. Maintain Good Posture
Fixing your posture is one of the simplest ways to prevent joint injuries. You can begin by keeping your weight even on both sides of your body while you’re walking. Moderate aerobic exercises such as swimming and brisk walking can also help you improve your posture.
8. Treat Joint Injuries With a Joint Pain Treatment as Soon as Possible
Untreated joint injuries can contribute to cartilage breakdown in your bones. Even worse, joint injuries can lead to tendonitis, bursitis, and more complicated joint conditions.
Do you have joint pain that persists longer than a few days? Has your joint pain refused to go away even after a brief period of rest or the use of over-the-counter medications? Then you may need to book an appointment with a pain specialist to assess your pain for immediate treatment.
Contact Us for Joint Pain Treatment in Charlotte & Fort Mill
Joint pain is a common condition that affects virtually everyone. Fortunately, most joint conditions can be easily managed. Advancements in stem cell therapy and PRP therapy have given physiatrists a safer, non-surgical approach to treating joint pain and joint conditions. If you’re experiencing joint pain or think you may have a joint condition, contact us for joint pain treatment in Charlotte and Fort Mill at Advanced Sports & Spine.
Disclaimer: The benefits of regenerative medicine have not been reviewed or approved by the FDA.