Bottom Line:

Arthritis is the breakdown of the cartilage around your joints. It can happen anywhere in your body and common symptoms associated with arthritis include joint pain, stiffness, swelling, or restricted motion.

While osteoarthritis is a natural part of the aging process, the choices you make today play a powerful role in your future health. When it comes to arthritis, the decisions you make each day can have a dramatic effect on whether it becomes a problem for you as you get older.

Why it Matters:

The thinning discs and bone spurs that may accompany an arthritis diagnosis happen as we age due to gravity, previous injury, and other lifestyle factors.

Many people diagnosed with arthritis believe they are destined for a life of pain, but that isn't true.

You can manage, and even mitigate, many of the challenges of arthritis by making positive decisions for your spinal health each day.

Here are 3 ways to stay proactive and reduce the potential effects of arthritis:

• Perform stretches and exercises that foster a balance of strength and flexibility daily.
• Foster proper ergonomics at your work desk by keeping your computer monitor at eye level.
• Follow a diet that limits inflammatory foods that can contribute to pain and chronic inflammation.

Next Steps:

There isn't just one thing you can do to prevent arthritis and making small changes to your habits each day can help you minimize your risk of painful arthritis.

A habit is defined as a routine that's repeated without you even thinking about it, and it's estimated that habits form after about 60 days.

Can you commit to following the healthy habits above for the next 60 days?

It's never too late to start a new set of healthy habits, so call us today if you're experiencing any of the symptoms associated with osteoarthritis. Remember, to get the most relief, any pain, stiffness, swelling, and restricted motion should be addressed sooner rather than later!

Science Source(s):

• Osteoarthritis. University of Maryland Medical Center. 2007.