Chiropractic Tips to Help Prevent Osteoarthritis
By Sara Butler
As you get older, you may notice that your joints aren't quite as resilient as they used to be. Arthritis, or osteoarthritis, is experienced by a lot of people as they age but getting older doesn't mean that you're doomed to have stiff, painful joints. In fact, there are a lot of things you can do to help prevent osteoarthritis or at least keep it from getting worse. Here are some tips to help prevent osteoarthritis from the chiropractors at The Joint Chiropractic.
What's Going On?
Your body has a built-in shock absorber in your joints, cartilage. Cartilage caps the ends of the bones in your joints and helps the joint to move smoothly. But there are a few factors that can lead to a breakdown of that cartilage. One is the wear and tear that the joints experience as you get older, which can be made worse by joint restrictions and dysfunctions. Another is trauma or injury of some kind, among other things. Working now to identify what risk factors may increase your risk of developing osteoarthritis can help you to avoid it or stop it from getting worse.
Tips for Prevention
There are several things you can do to help reduce your risk of osteoarthritis such as:
- Maintaining a healthy weight - If you are overweight then that puts more stress and strain on your joints and increases your arthritis risk
- Eating well - Loading up on foods high in antioxidants can help to build and repair your cartilage. Try eating foods higher in antioxidants such as berries, beans, and apples. Also, reduce the amount of red meat in your diet since red meat has been associated with a higher risk of arthritis.
- Exercising regularly - Stimulating your joints through movement and keeping them flexible can help to keep your joints healthy and pain-free
- Seeing the chiropractor - Chiropractic care can help you deal with osteoarthritis naturally, helping to keep your body free of joint restrictions and dysfunctions that can make the condition worse
It's never too late to begin seeing a chiropractor to help you address health concerns and get your body functioning optimally. If you are worried about arthritis or you suspect you may have a joint or two affected by it, then come into The Joint Chiropractic today for a consultation. You can start to lead a healthier life with less joint pain today.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Aurora, Colo.