Painful joints can keep you from doing your favorite activities. They may even interfere with your ability to complete normal daily tasks. Luckily, you can take steps to keep your joints healthy and happy. These suggestions are helpful whether you are searching for ways to relieve your own joint pain or to help with new physical therapy jobs near me.
Joint Health Hacks Tips for Happy Joints
Prevention is key to maintaining healthy joints. The right lifestyle behaviors can help strengthen joints and keep them pain-free. Try implementing the following strategies that often produce great results:
Eat a balanced diet: Eating a healthy and balanced diet that includes plenty of plant-based foods can help you maintain a healthy weight and ensure you get the nutrients your body needs. You may find it helpful to turn to recipes from the popular Mediterranean diet for inspiration.
Exercise regularly: Try to do some form of moderate physical activity for about 30 minutes on most days. Incorporate two or more stretching and strength training sessions each week too.
Get enough rest: Try to get around eight hours of sleep on most nights to allow your body ample time for recovery and repair.
Stay hydrated: Drinking water is a great way to stay hydrated. Many professionals encourage drinking milk also if your body can tolerate it. If you choose sports drinks, try to avoid those with tons of added sugar or artificial sweeteners.
Use good posture: Try to pay attention to your posture as you move throughout your day and make small adjustments as needed.
PT’s Guide to Relief
Physical therapy is a great way to learn safe and effective exercises and stretches that support joint health. Consider these tips from PTs as you start your journey.
Consistency is Key To Success
It is far better to set a moderate exercise schedule that you will stick to than to jump into an unsustainable one. Be realistic about your time and energy levels so you can build a routine that you consistently stick to.
Exercise Should Not Hurt
The mantra “no pain, no gain” is more harmful than many people realize. The truth is that proper exercise should not cause pain. You may feel some discomfort, especially when stretching or pushing to reach a tough goal, but that is very different from pain. If you experience pain when exercising, consider stopping and seeking advice from a healthcare professional.
Use Multiple Therapies
While research shows that regular exercise, maintaining a healthy weight, and proper nutrition support healthy joints, there is not one right or wrong way to eliminate pain in them. Many therapists use multiple approaches to target pain. For example, yours may suggest ice packs immediately after exercise and using OTC pain medications when you are uncomfortable. Be flexible and willing to use multiple strategies to manage your pain most effectively.
Healthy joints can be a reality at any age or physical ability level. If you are unsure where to start, consider getting help. Physical therapy Oregon City offers support to help you find effective and personalized strategies to preserve joint health.