Have you been experiencing pain or discomfort in your neck, shoulders, or knees? Do you want to learn how to better manage your joint pain without medication or steroids? Unfortunately, joint pain is a natural part of getting older – but you can take some preventative measures to help keep your joints as healthy as possible. Active joints are less likely to experience injury and discomfort later in life, and bodies that are healthy are less likely to experience pain.
In Colorado Springs, Jason Keller, DC, and his staff at iMed Regeneration Center offer the following tips to keep your joints healthy.
Manage your weight
Your joints can only withstand a certain amount of weight. So, carrying around extra pounds can put stress on your joints that they may not be able to handle. Conversely, if you’re underweight, a lack of muscle can prevent your joints from being stable.
To maintain a healthy weight, eat a well-balanced diet, exercise regularly, and get plenty of sleep. You can ask Dr. Keller if you’re concerned about your weight.
Speaking of exercise…
Exercise regularly
Using your joints regularly during healthy physical activity can prevent damage later in life. Joint-healthy exercises include riding a bike, swimming, yoga, speed walking, running on a treadmill or elliptical machine, and lifting weights. Regular exercise keeps your joints active and healthy, which can boost their resilience to injury and strain later on.
Stop smoking
Believe it or not, smoking can harm your joints by increasing inflammation. This can make it difficult to recover if you are injured. Talk to Dr. Keller about ways you can quit if common methods like the patch or gum aren’t working for you.
Drink more water
80% of your cartilage comes from water. When you’re not hydrated enough, your body will take water from other areas, which can be harmful to your joints. So, put down the soda and sugary drinks, and opt for water instead.
Include warm-ups and cool-downs in your exercises
You don’t want to immediately jump right in to exercise. Stretching your muscles warms up your joints, preparing them for the vigorous workout ahead. Cool-down stretches after your workout help ease sore joints and prevent post-workout injuries. Skipping warm-ups and cool-downs increase the risk of strain, which can lead to injuries.
Warm-ups and cool-downs should last for about five minutes. Use the same muscles that you do during your regular exercise, but with far less intensity. These practices are important because older joints tend to be less resilient.
Learn more about protecting your joints
If you’ve been experiencing joint pain, or want to learn more about preventative joint care, schedule an appointment by calling 719-286-3116. You can also book an appointment online. We look forward to hearing from you.