The best is to look after your joints holistically which includes keeping the whole body in harmony as well. A healthy diet and active lifestyle are the most critical areas of life that you can take care of in the context of joint health.
Nowadays, many people lead a sedentary lifestyle, spending several hours a day at the desk, and for them, it is very easy to lose mobility in the joints. The muscles stiffen, the joints become brittle, and the cartilage tissue wears out. As a result, they may experience chronic pain that prevents them from carrying out their daily activities.
Pain may also appear as a consequence of irregularities in the collagen coding genes. This can result in diseases associated with the incorrect structure of this protein in the body. Such disorders include Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) which is not very common but still, you should investigate it if you think this may be the cause of your pain.
Tips on how to take care of your joints
1. Move for your health
You don’t have to start with a gym membership; all you have to do is walk to work instead of driving. Gradually and slowly introduce movement into your life. Even low-intensity hiking increases synovial fluid production, which protects your joints and joint capsules against wear.
Walking compresses and decompresses the ankle joints and knees, sending nutrients to the cartilage that keep it elastic. Start with the first step, and you will see the effects very soon.
Change footwear to ones with a thin sole, and when you can – walk barefoot. At home, give up your slippers, and you will see that this will increase the range of your movements.
Walking barefoot helps you focus more on your gait. You learn to control your body, which prevents injuries. Remember also about properly selected footwear for playing sports. Shoes that are well suited to the activity have a significant impact on your joints and the whole body posture.
Keep in mind that if you are suffering from chronic joint problems, you should consult the physician for advice on how to exercise safely.
2. Add a natural supplement to your diet
There are certain natural products that you can introduce to your diet and lifestyle to take care of your joints.
Arnica is a medicinal plant that, when applied topically, accelerates the absorption of bruises and post-traumatic edema, strengthens blood vessels and has an analgesic effect.
In order to keep your joints healthy and pain-free, they should be free of uric acid crystals. Many athletes start the day with a few glasses of fresh celery juice that helps remove them. Celery extracts cope with uric acid removal from the serum and thus reduce its accumulation in the joints.
3. Avoid sitting long hours
Sitting reduces blood flow that transports valuable nutrients to all of our body’s tissues, including those in our joints. When sitting, the tendons and ligaments functionally shorten, which puts pressure on the joints during movement. This bad habit will lead to an increased risk of pain in the future.
If you have pain in your knees, hips, and lower back, know that this is probably due to sitting too long, and unfortunately, it will only get worse. When working in the office, remember to have regular breaks and get up from the desk every few hours. If you tend to sink into work, you can get a smartwatch to remind you to get up regularly. It is also worth introducing a short series of exercises at work if you have the place and possibilities.
4. Keep your weight in check
Controlling your weight will help you reduce the risk of developing joint conditions such as osteoarthritis. Studies of patients diagnosed with joint problems show a clear relationship between body weight and joint condition. It’s been discovered that obesity hinders the proper functioning of the joints – overloaded joints begin to ache and stiffen.
Hips and knees are particularly vulnerable to the negative consequences of obesity. Increased body weight can also cause uneven distribution of force in the joints, which accelerates the use of joint cartilage.
Summary
Health. We often underestimate it until we lose it. It is crucial to remember that bone and joint health is the foundation of a sense of independence resulting in a good mental condition.
Diet, exercise, and supplements are crucial here. The nutritional value and the amount of food we eat affect the sufficient supply of building materials to cartilage tissue. However, even the best diet will not prevent musculoskeletal disorders unless we introduce physical activity into the daily schedule.
Ideally, caring for your joints should become a daily ritual for you so start today to thank yourself tomorrow!
