Your joints are where your bones connect and allow you to bend and move. They're essential in keeping your body straight and injury-free. Still, they're one of the most overlooked parts of the human body regarding protection, care, and exercise.
Joints are the junctions between bones- your hips, shoulders, elbow, and knees. When they move against each other, they create friction that can cause damage to the cartilage, which is the tissue that covers and protects the ends of the bones.
Do you find that your joints hurt more frequently? If so, your body might be in a lot of pain. Here are 5 tips for keeping your joints healthy.
- Maintain a Healthy Weight
It's no secret that being overweight increases the risk of arthritis in the knees, hips, and hands. But did you know that being underweight also increases your chances of developing arthritis? The best way to maintain a healthy weight is to eat a well-balanced diet and exercise regularly.
- Get In an Exercise Routine
Exercise is good for your joints in many ways: it can help strengthen them, improve balance and flexibility, reduce pain, improve mood and boost physical abilities. Some types of exercise are better than others at helping to prevent arthritis.
Moderate aerobic activity, such as walking or swimming, has decreased joint pain in people with osteoarthritis (OA). Low-impact exercise such as water aerobics or stationary cycling may be especially beneficial for people with OA because they don't put much stress on your joints.
- Eat a Healthy Diet
Eating a balanced diet filled with fruits and vegetables will help keep your joints healthy. These foods contain nutrients that support your body's ability to fight disease, build bones and muscles, promote good digestion, and strengthen your immune system.
Foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids — such as fish — are especially good for your joints because they reduce inflammation by lowering levels of certain chemicals made by white blood cells called cytokines that cause inflammation when there is no infection.
- Stay Active Through the Day
Your joints need exercise just like other parts of your body do! Exercise increases blood flow to your joints and muscles, which helps them stay healthy and flexible. Exercise also reduces stress levels, improving overall health by lowering cholesterol levels and controlling blood pressure.
- Rest Your Joints
While it's essential to keep moving throughout the day, it's equally important to rest when you need it most — especially after strenuous activities such as playing sports or exercising vigorously. Resting helps reduce inflammation in your joints so they can recover more quickly.
Conclusion
The demand for joint replacement surgery is growing daily; as we become increasingly active, the chances of a joint getting injured increases. Schedule a check-up as soon as you notice any symptoms to start treatment immediately.
Most people suffer from joint problems to some degree, and it's essential to take the suitable precautions to enjoy your life to the fullest; contact Dr. Crawford, Sports Medicine Doctor, for information on the prevention and treatment of joint pain.
In the end, there are plenty of options for joint health. And at the end of the day, we are left with a single, simple truth: there's no one right way to stay healthy as you age.