According to a 2015 report by the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, roughly 91 million adults have some form of arthritis. Arthritis can be quite a debilitating condition, but thankfully there are some ways to prevent the pain. If you have joint pain, let’s look at some of the techniques you can utilize to avoid more pain.
Maintain a Healthy Weight
Your joints can only handle so much force, and if you’re overweight, this can be very taxing on your joints. When you put extra stress on your joints, this can result in joint pain. Surprisingly, most people are not aware that being underweight can be a contributing factor too. If your weight is too low, it means you won’t have enough muscle to strengthen and stabilize your joints.
Exercise Regularly
Exercise helps keep your joints strong, which is why it’s recommended that you exercise regularly. Consider low-impact exercises that don’t strain your joints too much, such as bicycling, swimming, pilates, yoga, and walking. While at it, don’t forget to warm up and cool down. This is essential because not stretching your muscles and warming up your joints can strain your joints and overload them putting you at risk of joint pain.
Avoid Injury
Injuries are one of the common causes of joint pain. Therefore, the best prevention is to avoid getting injured in the first place. For instance, it’s better to wear protective gear or use labor-adaptive items that don’t require you to place unnecessary strain on your joints, such as can openers. Avoid bending, stooping, reaching, or other positions that can potentially harm your joints.
Eat a Healthy Diet
A healthy diet that includes fruits and vegetables, as well as whole grains and healthy fats, can also help to keep your joints healthy. That’s because when you eat the right foods, this can help reduce inflammation that causes joint pain. You should also replace sugary drinks, sodas, and energy drinks with plenty of water. Better hydration contributes to healthy joints and a heart. Last but not least, quit smoking as soon as possible if you’re a smoker. Smoking can cause significant inflammation throughout the body, and this puts you at risk of joint pain.
These are the top tips that can help you protect your joints. Get in touch with us today if you would like to know more about preventing and managing joint pain.