Did you know that arthritis isn’t a single condition, but rather, an umbrella term for more than 130+ diseases? Originating from the Greek words “arthro,”, meaning “joint,” and “itis,” meaning “inflammation,” arthritis is a major cause of disability and pain for millions of Americans.
We put together some common do’s and don’ts to help manage arthritis pain:
Don’ts:
Don’t engage in high-impact activities. Arthritis can be very painful, and while it is important to stay active, high-energy workouts can injure the area even further.
Avoid being overweight – one of the fastest ways to make arthritis pain worse is by applying additional pressure to your joints. For every pound of excess body weight you carry, that translates to 4 lbs of pressure to your knees!
Rush into surgery – as many as ⅓ of knee replacement surgeries are unnecessary; an alarming statistic that is growing in this country. Surgery should always be considered as a final option due to the risks and downtime it presents to a patient.
Do’s:
Watch what you eat. Eat a healthy, well balanced, nutrient-rich diet full of fresh fruits and vegetables. These will help nourish your tissues and will help contribute to a healthy weight.
Take supplements. Foods such as salmon and green leafy vegetables contain essential fatty acids and compounds that support cartilage and healthy bones. Multivitamins, fish oil, and B-vitamins also contribute to healthy bones and can reduce inflammation caused by arthritis.
Be active. While running on concrete sidewalks or skateboarding might not be advised, there are several low-impact exercises that get your heart rate up and help you blast fat! Swimming, walking, and hitting up the elliptical trainer can help keep you active without adding pain to your day.
See a professional.
If your knee pain has increased in severity, and you’re finding it more difficult to enjoy activities you once loved, come visit our clinic to see if KneeVisc 5® is appropriate for you. Our proprietary 5-step knee pain program has helped thousands of patients suffering from osteoarthritis of the knee finally get relief from pain. We offer a free consultation, so don’t walk another day with pain – schedule yours today!
