... and why are we talking about arthritis prevention on a 50 Plus fitness walking for fogies website anyway? And in the Foot Care section?
The short answer to the first part is
'Yes, according to a number of knowledgeable people'
and to the second part is
'Because the more you can do to look after your feet so you can walk and get fit again, the better!'
First, a quick refresher.
Arthritis comes in over 100 varieties. Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are the most common. It affects several million people in North America alone.
We used to think it was just us old 'fogies' that were affected the most as we 'get along' on this life path thing. Not quite true. While it's more common in our age bracket, it can affect folks at any age - even infants!
...and once you've got it, you've got it. It is non reversible! You've heard about an once of prevention being worth a pound of cure? Well, with arthritis prevention, it's worth a TON of cure!
Your 'Arthritis Prevention' Game Plan
Here are several ideas from a number of medical authors and researchers. The majority think you can do something positive to prevent or delay arthritis for a long time.
Keep in mind we're not medical professionals - only the messengers. Always check with your health care provider first to be sure!
Here goes!
Relax! Tense muscles apply stress to your joints. Less tension - less stress - lower risk of arthritis.
Get a good night's sleep! A good night's rest coupled with some moderate exercise helps balance your body.
Minimize and reduce strain - especially repetitive strain - on your muscles and joints. Things like repetitive actions, deep bending, lifting heavy weights, sports that cause abnormal wear, hand actions and so on. If your joints are aching or sore, there is something wrong and it should be checked out.
Never carry something if you can pull it behind you! Who said this arthritis prevention stuff has to be hard work?
Practice good posture. If you must lift heavy stuff, use your hip and leg muscles, not your back!
Exercise! Yup, exercise is good. And of course walking is a real good exercise too! You want to use your joints without abusing your joints. Regular exercise that overcomes a sedentary lifestyle is good. Doesn't have to be strenuous, just regular. You can tailor your Fitness Walking Program to suit your needs. Take full advantage of the benefits of this exercise!
Care and feed your old joints properly! Obesity and overweight conditions put a very huge strain on your joints. Here's a little test you can do on our Knee Pain page. Diet and weight loss are very important and something we defer to our friend Gail at Easy Weight Loss Tips. She has some great advice on weight loss for you there.
Make sure and water your old joints! Yup. Drink water. You've probably heard by now that your old bod is made up of 70% water. This includes that cartilage stuff between your joints. Keep up your water intake and your cartilage can do a better job protecting your joints.
Note we said WATER! Not soda, pop or tea. They can contain stuff that blocks the absorption of water in your body. Lots of water every day great for your joints!
Another idea that works for some people is a gentle yoga program. You want to look for some very simple yoga postures that can help with joint flexibility and muscle tone. No more than five minutes a day can do wonders for you here.
Protect your joints in colder weather. Gloves for the knuckles, long johns for the knees, heavier socks for your feet. You know what cold weather can do to your car engine. Your joints will appreciate not having to 'grind it out' in the cold.
Need More Information?
Feel free to visit these websites for more in depth medical information on arthritis prevention (and a whole lot more!). First is Medline Plus - a service of the US National Library of Medicine and the National Institute of Health.
Another good one is WebMD. This is a privately run site with a lot of excellent info on it.
Both links are set up to open in a new window and start at a page with links to several articles on arthritis prevention.
You are also welcome in the US to call the Arthritis Foundation at 1-800-283-7800.
