Joint Doctor in California Recommends Weight Loss

     Weight Loss to Alleviate Joint Pain

Several recent studies have shown that there is a close link between obesity and osteoarthritis. Extra weight can put strain on joints of the hip, back, and ankles. As a result, even modest weight loss can help reduce the symptoms of joint pain. Before opting for nonsurgical or surgical medical treatment for your arthritis and aching joints, consider guided weight loss under the supervision of a joint doctor as the first solution to help to reduce joint discomfort, as well as gain many other health benefits.

Weight Control

Arthritis and joint problems are twice as high in obese patients than in those who are a normal weight. With obesity, the knees, hips, and ankles bear at least three times of the total weight of the body during physical activity. Since extra weight puts excess pressure on joints, obesity carries a high risk of pain and inflammation in the lower extremities.

A study conducted on young obese women found that the risk of developing osteoarthritis reduced by 50% with the loss of just 11 pounds among each woman. This shows that losing even a small amount of weight relieves pressure on the joints, helping to alleviate the debilitating symptoms of osteoarthritis.

Exercising With Joint Pain

For some cases of arthritis, movement and gentle exercise can help provide symptom relief. However, when your pain worsens with movement or increases after an exercise session, extra caution should be taken. During normal motion, your bones may be coming into contact with each other, due to the reduction in cushioning cartilage and synovial fluid. In that case, it is best to slow down or change your exercise pattern, as unstable joints shouldn抰 be strained.

Assistive devices like braces also may be used to help reduce the pressure on affected joints while you work out, if your doctor approves. Low impact exercises, like yoga, Pilates, swimming or cycling, are ideal for keeping bones and joints healthy. Symptoms may be exacerbated by high impact activity, however, so it抯 best to take things slowly at first.

Additional Treatments

Working with a qualified personal trainer or physiotherapist will help you learn safe ways to stay fit, even with joint conditions. Working together, you can develop a safe range of activities that strengthen the muscles and deliver extra support for your sore joints. Over time, stronger muscles will help ease some of the pressure off, reducing the symptoms of your arthritis or joint pain.

Supplements may also help alleviate joint pain. Cartilage loss, one of the main contributors to arthritic joint pain, is sometimes associated with vitamin D deficiency. If you are experiencing joint pain, have your vitamin D levels tested. Vitamin D supplements can help correct this imbalance. Glucosamine and Chondroitin are also popular supplements for joint health, and are thought to help improve joint mobility and reduce discomfort. However, these statements have not been evaluated by the FDA, so check with your doctor first.

Getting Better

With healthy weight loss, combined with low-impact exercise, physical therapy and proper nutrition, the symptoms of joint pain can be reduced or eliminated. Be sure to consult a joint doctor before committing to any new healthcare plan, and practice extra caution when it comes to taking care of your joints.

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