3 Ways to Keep the Joints Healthier
By Genevieve Cunningham
The joints are an incredibly important part of our bodies. We use them for everything. We use the knees, hips, and ankles to walk, run, exercise, and move. We use the elbows to bend the arm. We use the wrists to type and lift small items. We literally use the joints all day long. So when pain pops up in these areas, it’s easy to see why it’s so frustrating. If you would like to skip as much joint pain as possible, take a look at these ways to keep your joints healthier and stronger than ever.
Take Fish Oil
This step to healthy joints is so easy. What do you need to do? Get to your local grocery store, find a fish oil supplement, and take one every day. That's it. Fish oil is thought to keep the joints lubricated by providing nourishment for the area surrounding the joint. Just take this supplement, along with your multivitamin, each morning with breakfast. After a month or two, you'll likely notice a difference in the way the joints and body feel as a whole.
Eat an Anti-Inflammatory Diet
The biggest source of pain in the joints is inflammation. When swelling happens, it presses on the joints and creates a sensation of pain. If you can minimize the swelling, you can minimize the pain. A great way to ease inflammation in the body is through your diet. Eat foods such as ginger, garlic, green tea, and onion to naturally reduce inflammation and pain.
Keep Moving
The joints hurt so much worse when you're inactive. They get stiff and full of tension, which then leads to more discomfort. The body needs to move. The joints need to move. They need to be used. If you want to minimize the pain, keep your body moving. Keep a regular stretching and exercise routine. Walk, jog, do Zumba, take aerobics, or swim. Just get your body moving -- even through a little discomfort -- to keep the joints healthier and more pain-free.
Experiencing a little bit of pain in the joints -- especially as we age -- is incredibly common. But we don't want to ignore the discomfort and allow the pain to take over. Use these tips to get your joints in better condition and to keep them healthy and strong for years to come.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Mint Hill, N.C.