No More Joint Stiffness
When you are young, you would do things without even thinking twice about your joints. But when you get older, your joints can become stiff and achy. The key to reducing the chronic inflammation or even to increase your pain tolerance is to exercise regularly!
Exercise strengthens the muscle around the joint and increases blood flow to the joint. It also increases the production of endorphins, which can reduce pain.
Consider including yoga or pilates in your daily life. Pilates focuses on joint mobility and stability, creating balance around joints and increases flexibility. It also works on body awareness to improve balance and alignment. And yoga, yoga has been shown to work particularly well for those with rheumatoid arthritis. Two one-hour yoga classes a week eased pain and swelling. Check out one of our great yoga classes with our new yoga teacher Tarina or a pilates class with our lovely Chi Chi.
Another way to prevent stiff joints is to consume enough Omega 3. Eat fish! Please read here more about Omega 3. If you are looking for a supplement, glucosamine might be worth a try. It is a natural chemical compound in your body, but it also comes in the form of a supplement. The two main types are hydrochloride and sulfate. The glucosamine in your body helps keep up the health of the rubbery tissue that cushions bones at your joints. But as you get older, your levels of this compound begin to drop and leads to the gradual breakdown of the joint. Side effects of this supplement are generally mild and might include:
- Upset stomach
- Heartburn
- Drowsiness
- Headache
You’re more likely to get them if you take high doses. Ask your doctor what he recommends for you. Also check with your doctor before taking supplements if you have diabetes, kidney disease, heart disease, bleeding disorders, or high blood pressure. And lastly, be cautious about using glucosamine if you have a shellfish allergy.
