Live a healthier life with good joint health.
Healthy joints can help you live a more robust life so taking care of them now is important for many reasons, and we want to pass them along to you. Jane gets tips about how to maintain good joint health from Dr Denis Nam an orthopedic surgeon Rush University Medical Center. Remember, taking care of your joints now can help you stay active and pain free for years to come. Here are four tips to maintaining good joint health for a healthier life.
Joint health is important for many reasons but especially because it allows you to move freely and easily. When your joints feel good you can walk, run, jump and continue to do the activities you enjoy the most. Daily activities are more fun when your joints feel good; you are less likely to experience pain and inflammation which can reduce your risk of developing chronic conditions. Dr Nam suggests these four tips to maintaining proper joint health.
1 – Start with low impact exercises.
Regular exercise can help keep your muscles and joints strong. Any type of activity that removes pressure from your knees, hips and joints is a great exercise. Try physical activities like walking, swimming, water aerobics, elliptical trainer workouts, cycling, yoga or strength training. Being active is one of the best things you can do for joint pain and to improve the overall health of your joints. If you need help with exercises, ask a personal trainer at your local gym for some advice and a workout routine.
2 – Stretch before and after exercise.
Stretch regularly to help keep your muscles and joints flexible. Stretching lengthens your muscles and helps improve the range-of-motion in your joints. A good stretch every day can keep joints flexible enough to bend, twist and move. Plus, stretching the muscles around your joints can help improve posture, improve coordination and help prevent injuries. Stretching promotes good joint health and good joint health can protect your bones from rubbing up against each other and reduce bone damage.
3 – Make healthy meal choices and maintain a healthy weight.
When making healthy eating choices try to avoid too much sugary, salty, and fatty foods. A healthy diet can give your body the nutrients it needs to keep your joints healthy. Reach for things like cruciferous veggies, heart healthy extra virgin olive oil, whole grains, beans and lentils, and cold-water fish like halibut, tuna or salmon. Also choose fruit over salty snacks and grab a handful of nuts and seeds packed with Omega-3 fatty acids known for fighting inflammation.
Maintaining a healthy weight can also save your joints from extra stress on the joints from the excess weight which can increase your risk of developing joint problems.
For a proper healthy diet talk to your doctor or a registered dietician nutritionist to set on the right path.
4 – Be sure to talk to your doctor first.
If you have persistent joint pain or any concerns about your joint health talk to your doctor first. They can help access your risk factors and create a plan to help keep your joints healthy.
Along with these four tips from Dr Nam, wear supportive shoes that provide good arch support and cushioning to help reduce stress on your joints and get enough sleep. Sleep is essential for overall health and when you don’t get enough sleep your body’s ability to repair itself is compromised which can lead to joint problems.
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