Many people find that cold weather can make their joint pain more symptomatic. For them, outdoor winter activities can lead to more pain and even injury. However, being fit and active is essential to maintaining healthy joints and knees.
In some cases, physical therapy and surgical procedures may be needed to properly manage pain; there are some things you can try at home. Check out these tips to help keep your joints healthy through the cold winter months.
Get Moving
Motion helps reduce the risk for osteoarthritis. When you’re moving you are both lubricating and nourishing your joints.
Stay Hydrated
Make sure to drink plenty of water. Dehydration can reduce flexibility and increase wear and tear. On average, you need to drink eight glasses of water each day.
Get Strong
Strengthen the muscles around your joints and knees with exercise to protect them.
Dress Warmly
If it’s cold outside, keep yourself warm with gloves over hands that ache and added layers over knees and legs.
Eat Healthy
Loosing extra pounds helps to take stress of your knees and other joints. Also, avoid sugary, processed food, as well as foods high in saturated fat, in order to minimize inflammation. Focus on fresh veggies and fruits!
We hope these tips will help to ease some of your joint and knee pain during the winter! If your pain is persistent, please schedule an appointment today.
