Workout Motivation – Why Extra Weight is Hard on Your Joints
Eating right, working out, staying in shape – it all takes conscious effort and time. Trying to lose weight is a battel for many but its one that is worth it. Especially as we age carrying around extra weight is hard on the body. It can become a source of pain and inflammation.
According to a study published in Arthritis & Rheumatism just 1 extra pound of body weight ads 4 lbs of pressure on joints. Losing that weight has the opposite effect.
Arthritis is something that more than 70 percent of American adults suffer from, making it one of the most prevalent joint conditions. Carrying extra weight adds to the likelihood that you will develop arthritis as well.
How Pressure Effects Joints
The joints in the bottom half of your body, such as your hips, knees, and ankles are made to withstand lots of pressure. Eventually though, carrying extra weight around can lead to joints that are stiff, achy, and swollen.
One possibility is Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is a condition where the cartilage present in the joints and acts as a cushion, has begun to degenerate. This leaves bone on bone contact areas as the joints go through their natural range of motion. This can be very painful and lead to irritation and swelling.
The more weight that is stacked on a joint, the more wear and tear happens on the cartilage within that joint. This is why reducing body weight is necessary; it can help to reduce the effects of arthritis on joints.
How Losing Weight Helps Joint Health
Maintaining an appropriate body weight is crucial to your joints, but it doesn’t have to mean a great amount of weight loss to make a difference. In fact, according to a multitude of studies losing just 10 pounds can reduce osteoarthritis in weight-bearing joints by as much as 50 percent.
Lifestyle Changes
If you’re experiencing joint pain, there are things you can do to ease your symptoms. You can prevent further damage and reduce the pain you are experiencing by changing a few things about your routine.
At Kaster Chiropractic, we are big fans of exercise that doesn’t put undue stress or strain on the joints, especially if you’re already experiencing pain. You have to find an exercise that is gentle and that you can enjoy doing.
- Swimming
- Walking
- Water aerobics class
- Gentle yoga
If you struggle with mobility, water programs may be your best choice. The water reduces the load on the joints while allowing your body to improve flexibility and strength as well as burn calories.
If you struggle with mobility, talk with us about proper footwear and custom orthotic inserts and have your gait examined so that suggestions can be made to help relieve pain when you move.
You don’t have to live with joint pain. Talk with us. Make your appointment today by calling 239-332-2555. The office of Kaster Chiropractic proudly serves Southwest Florida and is located in Fort Myers on Boy Scout Drive. We can help structurally with chiropractic and massage as well as form a diet plan to get you in the best shape of your life and correct any issues.