Osteoarthritis is an annoying and potentially deliberating condition that is surprisingly common. It’s estimated that 1 in 11 Australians have osteoarthritis and the rate is increasing as people live for longer.
What Is Osteoarthritis?
Osteoarthritis is the inflammation of any joint in your body. It commonly happens in the knee, hips, and shoulder joints but can occur in any joint.
In most cases, the cartilage between the bones is worn away over time. As cartilage acts as a shock absorber it prevents bone from grinding on bone. Without the cartilage, this happens and your joint will become inflamed. Inflammation is your body’s way of protecting itself. However, this makes the joint stiff and painful, a problem that generally gets worse over time.
You are more likely to suffer from osteoarthritis if you are female and have a family history of it.
Exercise & Lifestyle Modifications
Before you change your exercise routine it is always a good idea to see a professional, such as this Darlinghurst massagecentre. They will assess your situation, any other conditions you have, and choose the best exercise to keep you mobile and reduce pain. • Weight Loss
The first change you should make is to your diet. It’s a great time to cut out sugars and look at what you are eating. In fact, avoiding processed foods and focusing on whole grains is one of the healthiest choices you can make.
This will help you to lose weight which reduces the pressure on the joints. It will also improve your overall health which reduces the likelihood of other age-related diseases. • Exercise
As mentioned, you should see a professional to discover which types of exercises you need to do to maintain mobility and reduce pain. But, alongside this and in conjunction with losing weight, you need to start exercising.
It’s a good idea to choose an activity you enjoy as this will make it easier to keep doing it.
Ideally, aim for 150 minutes of moderate activity per week. You’ll find it helps with your weight loss, reduces issues with osteoarthritis, and is better for your overall health.• The Right Foods
Eating healthily helps. But, you should also be aware that some foods are better than others at decreasing inflammation in your body. Focus on consuming more garlic, onions, mustard, celery, and even nuts and cold-water fish. All of these are good for your body and reduce inflammation. That will help with your osteoarthritis. • Acupuncture
If you are still struggling then there have been several studies that show acupuncture can reduce osteoarthritic pain in sufferers. You will need this done by a professional at a proper clinic but the benefits can complement the above techniques and help you maintain your quality of life.
Talk To Others
It can be difficult to live with osteoarthritis and you may even feel isolated. However, if you join a local support group you’ll find there are plenty of over people with the same issues. Chatting with them will make you feel better about your condition and you may even discover other techniques worth trying.