Maintaining healthy joints is vital to ensuring we can lead a healthy and mobile life. Mobility problems later in life can have detrimental effects to both physical and mental well being. Here we look at ways to ensure you stay supple and to enhance your current physical abilities.
Keep Active
Government guidelines advise that everyone should partake in at least one hours regular exercise per day. Don’t run for the gym membership just yet, this can include walking, cycling swimming and even cleaning the house. Many believe fitting in exercise during an already busy schedule is difficult, but actually, it’s not. Simply ways to integrate more exercise into your life is by adapting your routine. Use public transport to get to work? Why not get off a stop earlier to get the blood pumping. If you have existing joint problems then do not try anything too strenuous as this may result in further damage being caused. If this is the case start slowly with small exercise routines such as wrist and shoulder rotations and for knees and elbows again start with light bending to get the joints active again.
Control Your Weight
Basically, the heavier you are the more impact you are putting on your joints when moving. The skeletal systems is not designed to support obese frames, therefore though who are above the recommended BMI will be putting extensive pressure on ankle and knee joints and also pressure on the spine which can lead to debilitating health problems. Consult your GP who can advise on health plans available to best suit your needs.
Supplements
Glucosamine sulfate supplements used to tackle such health problems as osteoporosis is a way many look towards to ensuring healthy bones and joints. As we get older it can become more difficult for the body to create such vitamins and minerals, so by introducing such minerals to your diet you are enabling your body boost natural levels.
Changing Habits
What you could do at 18, you may struggle with at 50. It’s time to accept that the body takes a little longer to recover after strenuous activities. This requires you to change how you live your life. This doesn’t have to be drastic measures, but should be more conscience of your current health. Example, pay more attention to stretching. Introduce daily yoga stretches into your life, this may only 10-15 minutes per day but is an excellent way to remain supple and flexible.
Staying warm is something many need to remember when as they get older. Cold snaps can cause tremendous amounts of pain to the joints. In winter especially, wrap up indoor and outdoors. You may not feel cold, but it only takes a couple of celsius drop for your bones to feel the cold.
[box_light]Ashley works as physiotherapist advising both athletes and the general public on how best to maintain a healthy and active life.[/box_light]
Related articles
- Spotlight on… Glucosamine Sulphate (simplysupplementsblog.com)
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- What Type of Glucosamine Supplement is Best? (swisschiropractic.wordpress.com)
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