Archive for the ‘October 2011’ Category

Whenever someone’s knee or back hurts on a regular, they often think that it’s a sign that they have arthritis.  Their perception is that everyone is going to get arthritis one day and there’s nothing that you can do for the pain.  It’s just part of getting older and they have resigned to the fact that they will always hurt.  The good news is that many forms of arthitis not only treatable without surgery or injections, but they’re preventable too.  Here are a few tips to help you keep arthritis from slowing down your active lifestyle!

The most important way to prevent arthritis is to keep your weight within a normal range for your sex and height.  Extra weight means extra pressure on joints such as your back, hips, knees and ankles.  This additional wear and tear is a common cause of arthritis and can quickly accelerate the aging process of your joints.  Instead of trying a fad diet, simply eat more fruits and veggies, cut down on processed foods and exercise most days of the week.  You won’t lose 20 pounds overnight, but you will slowly become a slimmer you.

Another key to avoiding arthritis is keeping your body’s joints in balance by making sure you don’t have muscles that are too tight or too weak.  Many times we get tight hamstrings, neck and chest muscles from working at the computer or at a workstation.  Make sure you stretch those areas and strengthen the muscle that’s on the other side of the joint.  If you need help, consult a sports chiropractor, physical therapist or personal trainer who is knowledgable in this area.

Lastly, there have been several studies that have shown supplementation with fish oils or another source of omega 3 fatty acids to be key to healthy joints.  Talk to your sports chiropractor, primary care physician or pharmacist to see if this might be an option for you and which dose is appropriate for your needs.