Many seniors take medications or even use topical solutions to ease joint pain. Although these remedies are effective in the short term, they do not offer long-term results. Taking too many pain relievers has been found to have negative effects on the body, especially on the liver and the stomach. So whenever possible, you want to stick with a natural solution that is safe for your body and offers you longer-lasting benefits. The good news is, there is something you can do regularly that will help ease joint pain and won’t come with nasty side effects.
Movement helps ease joint pain, naturally
Although it may be painful, moving around is highly recommended for improving joint pain. Numerous studies have shown that the more you move the less pain you experience. Living pain-free doesn’t just mean improved mobility. Your happiness level and quality of life rise, too, as your pain goes down.
Paul Smith from the GSK Human Performance Lab offers three tips to help prevent and ease joint pain. He explained, “… [A]n injury or pain in one area of the body can also lead to pain in other areas because we make compensations in how we move in order to cope with the pain from the original site of injury. When we’re experiencing pain in our joints, it’s tempting to just sit or lie down and find a position that’s comfortable. Though this is tempting, more often than not, the more active you can be the better, and the more you can move those joints.”
Step one is getting adequate sleep because without a good night’s shuteye you aren’t really keen on moving the next day. People often underestimate the link between physical recovery and sleep. Between seven and eight hours is all you need to maintain your health. Try to go to bed and wake up at the same time every day, and make sure your mattress and pillows are comfortable.
Step two is being mindful of what you are eating. If you’re eating unhealthy, you are more likely to gain weight, and extra weight adds unnecessary strain on your joints. Keep your daily activities in mind when you’re working on your diet. For example, if you are sitting all day at work, you will want to cut back on calories.
Step three is proper hydration. When you’re dehydrated, you are less inclined to move and, as a result, your joints hurt more. You should be drinking about two to three litres a day in order to stay hydrated and have the energy to move around.
As you can see, there is plenty of evidence to support frequent movement as a way of improving joint pain. By getting proper sleep, eating healthy, and staying well hydrated, you will have more energy to get moving – and help your joints all along!