Metabolic Health’s Impact on Joint Health

Weekly Resource Roundup

Having, healthy pain free joints is essential to health span. If you’re experiencing joint pain or injuries it’s important to assess your metabolic health.  This can be done with an annual check-up at a doctor’s office and with basic blood work. Studies found that individuals with poor metabolic health are more prone to joint injuries, joint pain, and osteoarthritis. Metabolic health is defined as:

• Normal blood sugar (fasting glucose of 100 mg/dL or less without medication,
• Minimal belly fat (waist circumference under 40 inches for men and under 35 inches for women)
• Normal blood pressure (130/85 or lower without medication),
• Muscles, bones, and joints allow us to be active. 

Sleep, diet, stress, hormones, and exercise all contribute to our metabolic health. Studies have found:

• Individuals with metabolic syndrome are more prone to getting osteoarthritis.
• Those with abnormal lipid profiles (LDL, HDL cholesterol and triglycerides) are at higher risk of tendon injuries like rotator cuff tears.
• Abnormal lipid profiles have also been associated with more pain and inflammation with osteoarthritis.
• High markers of inflammation in the body are correlated with increased chances of pain with osteoarthritis.

Joint pain is not an inevitable part of aging.  If joint pain is prohibiting you from doing activities you enjoy, consult with your doctor and assess if there are lifestyle factors that could provide some relief. 

Foot Fact: The Arch is Not a Structure in Your Foot

The arch is created by what the muscles and bones are doing. To restore the arch in the foot, strength and flexibility must be addressed. The arch raise exercise is one method of strengthening the arch muscles.

Movement to Try

Calf Stretch. It’s important to give our calf muscles a chance to lengthen when we’re spending a lot of time in positive heeled shoes where the heel of the shoe is higher than the toes. The stretch is demonstrated with a half dome roller but it could also be done with book or rolled up towel.

Worth Listening to

Paradise is Moment song by the Wheeland Brothers

Quote

It is no measure of health to be well adjusted to a profoundly sick society. — Jiddu Krishnamurti 

Inspiration

Barry from the Rocky State Games crushed the Master’s Division of the Ninja Challenge.