The aging process takes a toll on everyone it comes in contact with. While the ads you see on TV focus on reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, the true toll aging takes on your body is on your joints. At Premier Chiropractic Center, serving Bessemer, AL, and the nearby region, we’d like to take a moment to educate you about ways to prevent degenerative disc disease and other age-related conditions.
Exercise Regularly
You want to keep your muscles and joints moving as much as possible. By keeping your body moving, you decrease the amount of time you sit sedentary. As you sit for prolonged periods, you stress your lower back joints especially. Not to mention, keeping your body moving can prevent an injury. It also keeps your joints lubricated, which can decrease your risk of arthritis.
The Department of Health and Human Services suggests adults get a minimum of 150 minutes of moderate aerobic exercise weekly or 75 minutes of vigorous exercise. You could also get a combination of the two.
Don’t worry if you’re not an avid runner who can run five miles in one session. It’s just important to get moving, even if it’s merely a short walk around the block each day or swimming a few times per week at a community pool.
Stay Hydrated
As a general rule, the U.S. The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine recommends that the average man should drink 15.5 cups of fluids daily. On the other hand, the average female should drink 11.5 cups of water.
Your body needs fluids to keep your joints hydrated. Hydration also rids your body of toxins that can lead to inflammation. Not to mention, water bulks up your blood volume, allowing nutrients to flow throughout your body better.
Maintain a Healthy Weight
Your lower back joints and knees will thank you if you maintain a healthy weight. When you have excess weight, it puts more pressure on your joints, especially your knees and lower back. As a result, you’re more prone to arthritis. Being overweight also increases your risk of certain conditions, such as degenerative disc disease — a condition that worsens as you age.
Buy the Right Footwear
Although it might seem like a bargain to purchase a pair of tennis shoes for $15, you’ll pay in how it contributes to pain through your body.
Ideally, you want a shoe that has arch supports. By wearing a supportive shoe, you distribute your weight evenly throughout your foot. When you do this, you’re not shifting your weight. Therefore, you won’t experience knee and back pain, which are both possible when you wear poor-quality shoes with little support.
Make sure the shoes fit you well. You should have a small amount of space between your toes and the shoe. If your feet are two different sizes, buy a size that fits the bigger one.
Wear Protective Gear
Injuries can heighten your risk of joint problems as you age. Therefore, you should wear protective gear on your knees and elbows.
Know Proper Technique for Sports
If you engage in golf, tennis, or another sport, make sure you know the proper form. If you’re moving your joints improperly, you could be stressing them more than you should. The repetitive stress can injure the joint, which can lead to issues as you age.
See a Chiropractor
Our chiropractor in Bessemer provides routine chiropractic care to prevent problems in the future. We can also intervene early to slow progression.
Slow the aging process to prevent joint problems and other musculoskeletal issues in the future. They’re more common as you age and may contribute to limited mobility. Not to mention, it can lead to the need for a joint replacement. Fortunately, you may prevent or slow the progression through lifestyle changes, though.
Book an appointment with Premier Chiropractic Center by calling 205-519-4024 or using our online booking tool.
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