Healthy joints are crucial to provide your body with stability and movements related to your everyday activities –such as sitting, standing, walking, running, and bending. However, excessive reliance on your joints for any movement, may injure these joints, affecting their functions and overall quality of life. Therefore, you must actively protect your joint and keep them healthy.
Let’s talk about some tips from a knee doctor that can help you keep your joints healthy and where you can go in San Antonio, TX, for outstanding healthcare.
Tip #1 Maintain a Healthy Weight
Each extra pound puts four pounds of extra strain on your weight-bearing joints, such as the knees, hips, ankles, and back. So, watch out for your weight.
Tip #2 Eat Anti-Inflammatory Food
You can show some love to your joints by making healthy food choices. Eliminating anti-inflammatory foods from your diet can lower your risk of developing joint arthritis. You should refrain from added sugars, processed food, red meats, refined carbohydrates, and added foods like whole grain, colorful fruits, garlic, and cruciferous vegetables.
Calcium and vitamin D-rich foods will make your joints strong.
Tip #3 Incorporate Strengthening and Stretching Exercises in Your Routine
Incorporating stretching and strengthening exercises like calf raise, squats, lunges, and step-ups in your fitness routine could keep your joints healthy. These exercises can strengthen your muscles and improve the flexibility of the muscles surrounding your joints.
If you do a desk job or live a sedentary lifestyle, take a break and try to move often to prevent joint stiffness.
Tip #4 Protect Your Joints, Especially if You Are Prone to Injuries
Albeit joint protection is essential for everyone. If you have arthritis, joint protection should be your priority. The principle of joint protection is to reduce strain on your joints and decrease the pain, if there is any. Besides, pay attention to your pain signal and avoid activities that increase pain or stress your joints.
Tip #5 Observe Your Posture
Bad posture can lead to back and knee pain, so it is important to maintain good posture by engaging correct muscle groups. It is also important to observe proper lifting and movements techniques to prevent undue stress, which can lead to joint degeneration. For instance, when lifting a heavy object, bend your knees and hips to squat down. Then, move the object close to your body and straighten your legs to lift it. Similarly, when you need to pick up something, bend your knees rather than bend the top half of your body.
Knee Doctor in San Antonio, TX
If you are suffering from an injury or condition related to joints or want to protect your joints, seek the expertise of a board-certified knee doctor at the Center for Orthopaedic Surgery and Sports Medicine.
Our knee doctors are highly skilled professionals committed to providing high-quality medical care. Our doctors delight in equipping their patients with information to help them take care of their health, especially their joints.
To know more about the treatment options or schedule a consultation, call us today at 201-692-7400 or fill out our online appointment request form.
