Top 10 Tips for Maintaining Good Orthopedic Health

Oct 10, 2021

tips-for-maintaining-good-orthopedic-health
When you think about being in good health, you might think of regular exercise or a heart-healthy diet. But do you think about what it means to be in good orthopedic health? Keeping your cholesterol low and your heart healthy are just two of many aspects of a healthy lifestyle. Mental and emotional health are also important to your overall well-being. As you age, wear and tear on the body regular, everyday use can start to take a toll on your bones and joints. That’s why you also want to pay attention to your orthopedic health. Your bones and joints are what help you move around and make it through each day, so you want to make sure they are healthy and able to support you for years to come. Whether you have an orthopedic surgeon in Jonesboro or have never seen an orthopedic doctor before, here are ten tips for maintaining good orthopedic health:

Pay Attention to Bone & Joint Health

The first thing you want to do is pay attention to your bone and joint health. Aging and general wear and tear on the body over the years can cause pain and discomfort along with a decline in your joint and bone health. Thankfully, there are many ways to prevent your bones and joints from bothering you over time and maintain your quality of life.

Regularly Stretch Your Whole Body

Incorporate regular stretching into your daily habits. When you stretch your arms up over your head after you wake up in the morning or stretch your legs before going for a run, you are promoting healthy circulation to these areas. If you lead a more laid back lifestyle, then you might not move around that often. This could eventually catch up to you and affect your health if you don’t make time to stretch your muscles.

Regularly Participate in Light Cardio

A brisk walk around the neighborhood every day is a great way to regularly engage in light cardio. Any type of exercise that gets your heart rate up helps increase blood flow throughout the body. When your blood gets pumping, it gives your heart a healthy workout and also brings oxygen-rich blood and nutrients to other parts of the body. You don’t have to run a marathon or take a high-energy exercise class to engage in light cardio. Get moving by taking a walk outdoors on good weather days, and don’t forget to stretch!

Warm Up and Cool Down with Exercise

When you do participate in exercises, you don’t want to skip warming up beforehand and cooling down afterward. A warm up before an exercise class or activity may include stretching your muscles that are about to be worked, while a cool down may light stretching after rigorous activity.

Take Frequent Breaks Throughout the Day

If you spend a lot of time sitting down while on the job, then make sure to take breaks where you can get up, stretch, and walk around for a few minutes. This takes the pressure off of your back and hips and allows you to enjoy some fresh air and get your body moving.

Follow a Healthy and Nutritious Diet

A healthy and nutritious diet can help support your bone and joint health. Foods rich in calcium and vitamin D are key to providing healthy nutrients to your bones and joints. Dairy products are beneficial for strong bones, and omega-3 fatty acids can also help with inflammation that may develop in your joints as you age.

Address Pain and Discomfort Right Away

If you start to experience pain or discomfort in your bones and joints, then you want to get that checked out by your doctor as soon as possible. If you wait and hope the pain goes away on its own, you might risk developing chronic pain or other issues that could make your discomfort even worse.

Choose Footwear That Supports You

Footwear is so important to providing support to your feet, legs, hips, and even your back! Your footwear can help provide better support and distribution of your weight. Many people are surprised to realize just how much orthopedic issues can be resolved by investing in proper, supportive shoes.

Use Supportive Devices for Your Back

You may also find supportive devices beneficial for your back. For example, lumbar supports for your office chair can help provide you with a bit more structure and support when you are at your desk every day.

Visit Your Orthopedic Doctor

Meet with your orthopedic doctor to talk about any concerns you might have and how to begin preventative measures to keep you healthy for years to come. Visit AICA Orthopedics to find an orthopedic surgeon in Jonesboro who can support your goals toward orthopedic health and overall well-being.

SHARE:

Contact Us

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.