Our joints and cartilage play a fundamental role in keeping us moving so that we can lead healthy, active lives.
Joints are the connections between your bones that allow you to bend your elbows, knees, neck, hips, fingers and more. Like our bones, as we age our joints can start to wear down which can lead to restricted movement and flexibility. In some people, joints can become so worn down that even simple movements like tying your shoelaces can become extremely challenging. That is why looking after your joints is so important.
It’s never too late or too early to start thinking about your joint and cartilage health. Simple lifestyle changes can improve your joint health and help minimise your risk of experiencing pain or stiffness when moving. Below are our top 5 tips for healthy joints.
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Stretching - When going about your day to day life, it’s beneficial for your joints to avoid holding or remaining sedentary in one position for too long. When sitting at your desk or watching TV aim to get up and stretch every 15 or so minutes to relieve stiffness in your joints and get them moving.
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Healthy Diet - Being overweight places additional strain on your weight-bearing joints, especially your knees and ankles. Maintaining a healthy weight can help to alleviate some of the stress on your joints and reduce your risk of joint damage. Eating a balanced, nutritious diet can also improve your joint health! Incorporating foods high in calcium and Vitamin D can be good for bone strength, while fish, such as salmon and mackerel that contain omega-3 fatty acids may help to reduce inflammation in your joints. Lettuce, broccoli, spinach, kale or parsley may also help slow down cartilage breakdown and can reduce the amount of bone loss that occurs with age. Read up on the best foods for joint health on our blog posts - The best food for muscle and joint health
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Exercise - Low-impact exercise such as walking, swimming, cycling and strength training is the best type of exercise for your joints. Exercise can help your joints stay mobile and assist with weight maintenance and weight loss which has further flow on benefits to joint health. Strong muscles and strong bones also provide support and stability to your joints. Incorporating strength training into your routine can help build muscle to keep your joints safe and mobile. Core-strengthening exercises are also a great inclusion into your routine, as a strong core can help with posture and alignment, and prevent problems with balance, falls, and other accidents that can cause joint damage. When doing any type of exercise, protect your joints by taking it slow, especially at first.
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Try Joint Health Glucosamine Supplements - A supplement containing Glucosamine & Chondroitin can be effective in slowing the breakdown of cartilage in the early stages. Deep Heat Joint Health Support Glucosamine & Chondroitin is an Australian made supplement formulated to support joint health in everyday adults and to help relieve mild joint aches and pains. Deep Heat Joint Health Support Glucosamine & Chondroitin can assist in helping to support healthy Joint Cartilage Growth and Production.
- Heat Patches - If you are experiencing mild joint pain our Deep Heat Neck & Joint Patches are a useful tool. Thin and easy to apply, our Deep Heat Neck & Joint Patches provide up to 8 hours of targeted, sustained and soothing temporary relief to joint pain and stiffness. Comfortable enough to wear all day, and odourless to provide discreet pain relief which is great for work or social occasions, they can be applied directly on to the painful area.
