Our joints keep us mobile and productive, but they need to be treated with kindness just like the rest of the body. With overuse and a lack of proper maintenance of your body, they can suffer deterioration, inflammation, and injury.
Let’s talk about some of the key ways in which you can keep your joints healthy, and where you can go for world-class treatment of orthopedic conditions.
Maintain Healthy Nutrition
Proper nutrition is vital in protecting your joints and your overall health. But some foods are best for optimum joint health, especially the following:
- Fish oil reduces inflammation and thus helps to avoid arthritis. You can find this nutrient in coldwater fish, like salmon, cod, and sardines.
- Add vegetables like broccoli and kale to your regular diet. These vegetables have antioxidants and vitamins to keep your joints healthy and reduce the risk of arthritis.
- Drinking plenty of water will help to keep your joints lubricated and flexible. It can also help to flush out toxins from your joints and reduce inflammation.
Practice Proper Posture
It helps your joints in your knees and spine to learn how to correctly lift large or heavy objects. The rule is to use your legs and not your arms – in other words, rather than bending down to pick up an object, squat down with your knees while picking up and putting down objects.
Use Proper Equipment
There is a link between joint pain and the workplace. For example, carpenters, hairdressers, factory workers, and painters have a heightened risk of developing shoulder, elbow, wrist, and hand problems because of their repetitive arm motions. Using well-designed tools and the proper equipment can help to reduce these repetitive stresses.
Move Around
Although rest is helpful when your joints are in pain, too much inactivity can be harmful. Sitting, standing, or gripping for extended periods of time can weaken your muscles and decrease their ability to support your joints, so be sure to take breaks and stretch.
Build Muscle Strength
It is best for your joints if you work to strengthen their supporting muscles. The simple act of stretching before and after a routine can actually help condition your joints and build strength, so always remember to warm up and cool down.
Joint Experts in the Greater Chesapeake Area
If you need an orthopedic doctor who can help you maintain the health of your hands, arms, and shoulders, see the specialists at Greater Chesapeake Hand to Shoulder. Our physicians focus on the diagnosis and treatment of issues in the upper extremities, including strengthening techniques for athletes.
If you have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment with one of our orthopedic physicians, contact our friendly staff today by calling us at (410) 296-6232 or fill out our appointment request form online now. We look forward to helping you keep your joints healthy.
