Protecting your joint health today may help you enjoy many pain-free tomorrows

Ahh winter… the season often associated with cozying up and slowing down. What if you also make it your season of being inspired to make a few changes? Consider making time in your daily routine to protect your joint health and increase the odds that when nature reawakens this spring, you’ll be ready to fully enjoy it.

If you’re interested in remaining as active as possible for as long as possible, remember the old adage: use it or lose it. It’s never too early to take steps to prevent joint pain and injuries. There are many things you can keep – or start – doing to protect your joints:

• Exercise to build strength and increase your range of motion. There are free, no-equipment-necessary exercises that you can do at home.
• Do gentle stretching exercises to maintain or increase your flexibility.
• Look for and enjoy foods that are rich in calcium, vitamin D and Omega-3s. This includes:
  • Dairy (like milk, Greek yogurt, cottage cheese)
  • Leafy greens (like cooked kale or collard greens, broccoli)
  • Fatty fish (salmon, trout, tuna, herring)
  • Flax and chia seeds, almonds, walnuts
  • Eggs
• Make sure you’re working and doing other tasks properly – in a way that decreases stress on your joints as much as possible.
• Maintain or work toward a healthy weight to prevent excess stress on your weight-bearing joints (hips, knees, ankles).

Although some factors are beyond your control, many are achievable! Following these tips will help you protect your joint health, improve bone strength and prevent pain and injury. It takes some effort to make a noticeable change, but it’s worth it. The most important step is getting started and developing good habits.

If you’re already experiencing joint pain, is it time to consider options for relief?

Randall Norgard, MD, an orthopedic specialist at Winona Health, says, “My advice is to come in for an evaluation whenever your pain is keeping you from doing everything you want to do or limiting your daily activities. The sooner you come in for an evaluation, the sooner we can address the pain. If your pain has been getting progressively worse, waiting longer isn’t the answer. There are many treatment options for you to choose to help you decrease pain so you can increase your ability to do what you want to do.”

If you’re dealing with joint pain, talk with one of our orthopedic specialists about solutions – no referral necessary. The sooner you take action, the more likely it is that you’ll find simple solutions to alleviate your pain. Call to 507.474.3338 to schedule an appointment.

Randall Norgard, MD, Orthopedic specialist, Winona Health