Over 15 million Americans live with arthritis and are at increased risk for chronic joint pain. To prevent debilitating pain from taking over your life, there are lifestyle changes you can start making today to improve your joint health.
At Zephyr Medical, we specialize in managing joint pain from arthritis and other joint conditions. Board-certified pain management physician Asher C. Goldstein, MD, also offers customized care plans for acute joint pain that results from falls, auto accidents, and sports injuries.
Ways to find lasting joint pain relief
We aim to help you find lasting relief from joint pain and re-establish your independence, so we offer a range of treatments to keep you pain-free and promote better joint function.
Our team can also recommend changes you can incorporate into your daily routine to reduce your risk of worsening joint pain.
Here are five lifestyle strategies you can start using today:
1. Get moving
Living a sedentary life can increase your risk for joint inflammation and pain, so it’s important to incorporate movement into your daily life.
Physical activity is an effective way to keep your joints healthy and strong. Regular exercise can also alleviate any existing pain and prevent new pain from developing.
If sore joints limit what exercises you can do safely, try activities that are easier on your joints, such as short walks, swimming, and water aerobics. Aim to get in at least 30 minutes of activity every day to support your joint health.
2. Manage your weight
Being overweight puts unnecessary pressure on your knees, ankles, and other joints. Daily exercise helps burn fat and excess calories to maintain a healthy body weight.
You should also make necessary diet changes to support weight loss. Our specialists can recommend low-fat, nutritious meal plans you can follow to lose weight and reduce pressure on your painful joints successfully.
3. Practice stress reduction techniques
Excess stress can worsen existing joint pain and contribute to poor mental health. Explore ways to reduce stress in your daily life and take time out of your day to relax.
You can also use mindfulness techniques like breathing exercises and meditation to calm your nervous system naturally. Yoga is also a great, low-impact activity to balance your body and mind while strengthening your joints.
4. Quit smoking
Smoking affects your overall circulatory health. When you smoke, blood flow to your joints reduces, and joint inflammation and pain risk increase.
There are smoking cessation programs available to help you quit for good. If you’re not sure how to access such resources, ask our team for recommendations.
5. Proactively protect your joints
Always protect your joints When engaging in sports or other high-impact activities.
Our medical team can recommend protective gear you can wear while playing sports. We can also offer suggestions for warm-up exercises you can do to get your muscles and joints ready for the game.
If your existing joint pain interferes with your ability to exercise, Dr. Goldstein can customize a care plan to treat inflammation and pain. He uses nonsurgical therapies like steroid injections, nerve blocks, and radiofrequency ablation to control your pain, so you can maintain a physically active lifestyle.
Call Zephyr Medical in Brooklyn Heights, New York, to schedule an evaluation for persistent joint pain, or book a consultation online today.