No
one wants to live with joint pain. Unfortunately, millions of Americans will
experience pain in their knees, hips, or lower back at some point during their
lives. There are many causes of joint pain, but obesity is one of the most
common. Excess weight can also worsen existing conditions. The result is pain,
low energy, and discomfort that can affect every aspect of your life.
The
good news is, losing even a small amount of weight can go a long way. If you
have arthritis or another condition causing chronic joint pain, your doctor
will likely have recommended weight loss to aid your treatment. Among a myriad
of other health benefits, maintaining a healthy weight looks after your joints
and can significantly relieve joint pain.
Reducing pressure on your
joints
Your
weight-bearing joints (your ankles, knees, and hips) have to support your full
weight. When you walk, even more pressure is placed on these joints. In fact,
the pressure put on your knees during activities like walking up or down stairs
is two to three times that of your body weight. That’s a lot to ask of your
knees!
Over
time, joints can become worn down and damaged by overuse. Carrying around extra
weight increases the pressure put on your joints, wearing them down quicker and
causing pain. By maintaining a healthy weight, you can ease up the pressure on
your weight-bearing joints, making your knees, hips, and ankles happy.
Relieving inflammation
Obesity
is a key risk factor in the development of arthritis, a condition that causes
joints to become painful, stiff, and inflamed. But excess weight can actually
promote inflammation, increasing a person’s risk of developing arthritis, and
making symptoms worse in those who have it.
Studies
have shown that a weight loss of just 10% can greatly reduce inflammation in the body. This is
just one reason that doctors recommend weight loss to patients with arthritis.
Healthier lifestyle,
healthier joints
Weight
loss doesn’t happen overnight. But with even a few small lifestyle changes like
healthier eating and more exercise, you can achieve a healthy weight that
relieves your joint pain and gives you more energy throughout the day.
Patients
with joint pain often worry that exercise will make their pain worse. While
this is true of some activities, there are plenty of fun, low-impact exercises
that are easy on the joints. Swimming, water aerobics, yoga, tai chi, and
cycling are all great options. If you enjoy the atmosphere of the gym, avoid
the treadmill and opt for the rowing machine or elliptical instead.
Tired
of joint pain and arthritis ruling your life? If you’re ready for a fresh
start, it’s time to consider whether alternative therapies might be right for
you. Stem Cell Therapy is a safe and
minimally-invasive treatment that uses your body’s natural healing mechanisms
to stimulate tissue repair in your affected joints. Combined with healthy
lifestyle changes, the treatment has proven effective for many patients.