Everyday Habits That Help Protect Your Joints as You Age

When your joints are healthy, movement is easy. It’s natural to take these easy movements for granted. However, it’s important to understand that even healthy joints can be damaged through injuries or wear-and-tear conditions, such as arthritis.

At Valley Orthopedic Institute in Palmdale and Ridgecrest, California, orthopedic experts Anand Shah, MD, Mehul Taylor, MD, Adam Amir, DO, and the rest of our team want you to have healthy joints that provide optimal mobility in every stage of life, especially as you get older.

So, in this month’s blog, we’re discussing some everyday habits that you can implement to protect your joints for a lifetime.

Find ways to move your body

Movement is the gold standard practice for optimal joint health. Your joint health can be affected if you sit or stand in one position for too long. Taking opportunities to change positions as often as you can protects your joints from stiffness and pain.

Exercise is another type of movement that’s vital for joint health. Regular physical exercise keeps your joints flexible and improves the strength of the tendons and muscles that give your joints much-needed support.

Eat foods that nourish your body

While any nutrient-dense diet is great for your overall health, including certain food groups that focus on joint health can be beneficial.

Green, leafy vegetables, such as romaine lettuce, kale, broccoli, and spinach, are bone- and joint-strengthening powerhouses. Oranges packed with vitamin C are as well. Foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, such as salmon, can lower bodily inflammation and protect joints as well.

Shed some weight

Carrying extra pounds puts an enormous amount of stress on your joints. In fact, for every extra pound of weight you carry, it adds 4 pounds of pressure to your joints. On the flip side, every pound you lose relieves a significant amount of stress on your joints. 

Losing even 11 pounds can reduce your risk of joint-related issues by 50%.

Kick that smoking habit

Smoking puts you at a much higher risk for all sorts of health issues, including joint-related ones such as fractures. Protect your overall health and your joints by quitting your smoking habit for good.

Support your feet

While wearing shoes that look good is often the more fashionable choice, they aren’t always going to offer proper support. Choosing function over fashion when it comes to your shoe choice ensures that you aren’t adding any additional stress to your joints.

Look for shoes that are flexible, have a square or rounded toe, and have a good amount of cushioning. While they may not look as good as the high heels, your body will thank you.

Partner with our team for joint health

If you’re struggling with joint pain, don’t wait to seek treatment. Seeing our team for joint-related pain and undergoing treatment can keep any injuries or possible arthritis from getting too severe.

To schedule an evaluation for joint pain, simply call your nearest office location or use our online booking feature today.