Joint Protection Is Important for Optimal Joint Health
Many people with arthritis resist regular physical activity or exercise because they fear it will increase pain or further damage their joints. The body is supposed to move; our joints allow for movement. In fact, movement eases joint stiffness, reduces joint pain, strengthens the muscles which surround the joints, and help us maintain a healthy weight. The benefits are real, so keep moving!
It is important for everyone, especially people with arthritis, to protect their joints. The goal of joint protection principles is to decrease pain and to reduce the stress or burden placed on the joints. This can be accomplished in several ways:
- Pay attention to pain signals
- Avoid activities that stress joints or increase pain
- Pay attention to proper body mechanics
- Balance activity and rest; don’t overdo activities
- Check out available assistive devices or mobility aids
- Maintain a healthy weight
Maintaining Your Ideal Weight Is Important for Joint Health
With regard to optimal joint health, it is necessary for us to maintain our ideal body weight. Carrying
excess body weight adds stress to our joints, especially the weight-bearing joints. For each pound that we lose, there is a 4-fold reduction in loading forces on the knee when a step is taken, according to Messier, et al.
- Maintaining Your Ideal Weight With Arthritis
Source: Weight loss reduces knee-joint loads in overweight and obese older adults with knee osteoarthritis. Arthritis and Rheumatism. July 2005. Messier et al. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/art.21139/abstract