Exercises That Boost Joint Health
By Genevieve Cunningham
The cooler air is finally blowing in. While this brings some wonderful benefits such as less dependence on the air conditioner and crisp nights spent outdoors, it also comes with one really frustrating side effect: Joint pain. For some people, joint pain is a staple in their lives. For others, it comes in waves. Either way, there’s no doubt that we would all rather live without joint pain. But this ailment is tough to beat. If you’re ready to eliminate or manage joint pain, take a look at these exercises that loosen the joints and keep your body healthy.
Walking
Walking is a good way to boost overall body health, and for the joints, it can help to loosen stiff places and encourage mobility. When you first begin, you may notice that your joints hurt just a little bit more than usual, but stick with it. The more you do it, the more accustomed your body and joints will become, and the healthier and more mobile you’ll find your body.
Yoga
The power of yoga is so big. It comes in many forms, so you can choose a method that works for you. But all forms of yoga focus on at least a few similar elements. Strengthening the body, increasing stability, loosening joints and ligaments, and building mental and physical patience are all part of the workout. This practice can loosen the joints as well as strengthen the surrounding muscles, which subsequently gives the joints more support. For whatever ails your body, you really can’t go wrong with joining a yoga class at your local gym.
Swimming (or Anything Water Related)
The water and its natural buoyancy helps to take pressure and weight off of your body, and this includes the joints. Take a dip, join a water aerobics class, or just get in the water and walk in the shallow end. The water allows you to stretch and bend a little further, which helps your joints build stamina and strength. Just be careful that you don’t push too hard. The water can be deceiving because it feels so good. Be patient with your body, and you’ll see some major improvements in just a short amount of time.
Joint pain happens, but it absolutely doesn’t have to take over your life. Get prepared and get busy. With the right workout routine and a little perseverance, you may be able to manage joint pain and boost your overall health all in one go.