As we age, treating our joints with care becomes more and more important. In today’s blog we will discuss ways to improve your joint health as well what habits to avoid for optimal health joint.
THE GOOD
- Maintain a Healthy Weight
Losing weight and maintaining a healthy weight will help to ease pressure and pain on your joints. According to the Arthritis Foundation every extra pound of weight you carry loads four times the stress on your knees. - Don’t Forget to Stretch
Gentle stretches done on a regular basis help to keep the muscles and tendons that surround joints flexible. Strong muscles and tendons will help support joints. In addition, regular stretching helps prevent stiffness and increase flexibility, which help to prevent injuries. - Practice Good Posture
Some of the most common areas for joint pain include the knees, hips, hands, neck and back. By practicing good posture while sitting or standing you can help to reduce extra strain on the joints. Having correct posture means keeping each part of the body in alignment with the neighboring parts. Proper posture keeps all parts balanced and supported and helps to keep the joints healthy.
THE BAD
- Ignoring the Pain
If any of your joints have been hurting for more than a week, don’t try to power through the pain: “Your body’s trying to tell you something.” - Avoiding Exercise
A sedentary lifestyle can lead to faster deterioration of the musculoskeletal system, and put you at risk for developing chronic pain. Regular exercise helps to strengthen muscles that surround the joints, improve bone strength and range of motion, and decrease pain. - Carrying Heavy Bags
Loading too much into your bag can strain the muscles and joints in your neck, shoulders, back and legs. If you need to carry heavy loads, focus on evenly distributing the weight or invest in a rolling cart if you are constantly carrying around heavy loads.
THE UGLY
You already are aware that smoking is bad for your overall health, so it is no surprise that smoking has a negative effect on your joint health. By avoiding or quitting smoking, you can reduce your risk for many conditions and diseases. Quitting smoking can also help your body regain some of its normal healthy functioning.
By following these tips and avoiding the negative habits listed, you can help to improve your bone and joint health. If you are experience chronic joint pain, schedule an appointment with HROSM to find out treatment options for you. Our goal is to keep you healthy and moving!
