How to maintain healthy joints in 2020

Professor Nick Harris, Consultant Orthopaedic & Trauma Surgeon and Professor of Sports Medicine, Spire Leeds Hospital, advises,

“Keep active. Low impact activities such as walking, swimming and cycling  are less damaging to joints. Maintain a full range of motion in the joints. Regular stretching will help this. This is best done after a gentle warm up rather than when the muscles are cold. Strengthening the muscles around joints helps support them.

Lose some weight. Losing one pound of weight reduces the loads across your knee by four pounds. Maintain a strong core. This helps with posture and balance. Don’t work through joint pain.

Maintain a healthy diet. Omega 3 found in fish has been shown to reduce inflammation which can help with arthritic joints and is also a source of Vitamin D. During the winter months everyone in the UK will see a reduction in their Vitamin D levels due to the lack of exposure to sunlight. Vitamin D is important in bone metabolism and muscle function as is Calcium. Many people take Vitamin D supplements over the winter months.

Set yourself a regular training program. If you persist with joint pain seek advice from your GP or an Orthopaedic Specialist, there are often simple things that can be done to get your back on track.”

Full Yorkshire Post Article Improve mind, body and soul YP 2020