According to the CDC, about 1 in 4 adults in the US experience joint pain from arthritis. Experiencing sudden or chronic joint pain can stop you from enjoying the activities you love – from work and school to playing sports and more.
Fortunately, preventing joint pain can start by making simple lifestyle changes. Through daily exercise, weight management, and other healthy lifestyle practices, you can protect and improve your joint function in the long run.
Lifestyle Changes for Healthy Joints
You can start modifying your lifestyle to prioritize joint health in simple steps. Here are some of them:
Exercise and Physical Activity
Staying physically active helps keep your joints flexible and protects them from wear-and-tear damage. The benefits of daily exercise for joint health include:
- Chronic joint pain management
- Improved muscle strength and function
- Improved posture and sleep quality
To help you kick off your fitness journey, your doctor may recommend a physical therapist or personal trainer. They can recommend a range of physical activities: from light, aerobic exercises to strenuous, weight training. You can opt to do these exercises at home or the gym.
Stretching exercises, including warm-up and cool-down exercises, are also integral to long-term joint health, because they prevent muscle strain and exercise injuries. Gentle, low-impact stretches can also be beneficial when managing joint pain.
If you are experiencing joint pain, remember to check with your healthcare provider before starting or continuing an exercise program.
Weight Management
Excess weight can put a lot of stress on your joints. Weight-bearing joints, such as the knees and hips, are the first to become aching, swollen joints. Reducing your weight can help you reduce joint pain and further joint damage.
Diet and nutrition are key in weight management. Introducing unprocessed food and plant-based meals to your current diet can be a great start. Reducing regular sodium and sugar intake can also help you lose weight.
You can also change your diet to improve joint health. Eating fish rich in omega-3 fatty acids and cruciferous vegetables can ease joint inflammation and boost joint health.
Your healthcare provider may provide more recommended changes to your diet to help you lose weight for long-term joint health.
Rest and Other Lifestyle Habits
Sleep has a lot of impact on long-term joint health. Getting adequate rest can help you reduce stress, maintain a healthy weight, and boost your body’s immune system. These factors all contribute to long-term joint health.
Having a good sleep schedule and a quiet environment contribute to a good night’s rest. If you find yourself waking up in the night due to sore joints, you should see your healthcare provider promptly. Sleep deprivation from aching joints can lead to a variety of health issues, including low energy and mood disorders.
Other lifestyle habits you can implement for long-term joint health are:
- Avoiding excessive drinking and smoking
- Limiting repetitive physical movements
- Treating joint injuries properly
Injections for Joint Pain
Joint injections can help treat swollen, irritated, or painful joints by directly administering medicine to the affected area. These can also help the joints to work properly. Areas that are commonly selected for joint injections are:
- Wrists
- Elbows
- Shoulder
- Spine
- Hip
- Knees
- Ankles
- Small joints in the hands and feet
There are three common types of joint injections:
- Cortisone injections, which contain a corticosteroid medicine for pain relief.
- Hyaluronic acid injections, which contain hyaluronic acid for joint lubrication and shock absorption.
- Platelet-rich plasma injections are used as additional tools to heal and repair joint injuries.
There are also potential side effects from the procedure, like short-term bleeding or in some cases, joint infection and damage. It is essential to get your joint injection procedure done by trusted medical professionals to minimize the risks.
The effects of a joint injection vary in each patient. The frequency of getting injections for joint pain also affects the results in each case. It is important to treat the underlying cause of joint pain through proper diagnosis and treatment of joint pain.
Prioritize Long-Term Joint Health
Healthy joints matter. Creating a lifestyle that prioritizes long-term joint health can be done through purposeful lifestyle changes. Regular check-ups and monitoring from your healthcare provider can also help keep track of your progress and improve your lifestyle.
It’s important to get a proper diagnosis and continue with the appropriate treatment if you are experiencing joint pain. There are many non-invasive options available for treating joint pain, such as medication, supportive aids, and physical therapy.
Surgery is generally a last resort and is only recommended when non-invasive treatments are no longer effective.
High-Quality Injections for Joint Pain in Dallas, TX
If you or a loved one are interested in how joint injections may improve your joint condition, Reagan Integrated Sports Medicine can assist you!
We offer comprehensive and compassionate orthopedic healthcare services, including PRP therapy and more, to protect and improve your joints. Our integrated clinic, exceptional medical services, and highly trained providers can help you prioritize long-term joint health and get back to doing the things you love.
Call our office today at (972) 503-7272 for more information about our services. You can also schedule an appointment with us using our secure online appointment request form.
