The Impact of Diet and Exercise on Osteoarthritis Symptoms

Regenerative medicine and sports rehabilitation can relieve joint pain and stiffness related to osteoarthritis. One key way is through a healthier diet and regular exercise routine. This is because nourishing the body and staying active can lead to better joint health and mobility. In other words, diet and exercise can help you take control of your osteoarthritis symptoms and enhance your quality of life.

Understanding osteoarthritis

According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis. A chronic degenerative joint disease, osteoarthritis typically affects weight-bearing joints (e.g., the hips or knees) or the hands. More specifically, the cartilage around the bones deteriorates, which leaves the bones vulnerable to rubbing against each other. The result is pain, stiffness, and a lack of mobility in the affected joints. Other common symptoms include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Tenderness when pressure is applied
• A grating, popping, or cracking sensation when using the joint
• Hard lumps of bone forming around the joint (bone spurs)

Anyone can develop osteoarthritis, but it disproportionately affects older patients assigned female at birth. When it develops at a young age, it is often the result of injury or repetitive stress. Understanding the nature of this condition is essential for managing symptoms and reducing their potential impact in the long run.

The impact of diet and exercise on osteoarthritis

Diet and exercise serve a major role in managing osteoarthritis, as they help the body heal itself and maintain joint function. The main tenet of regenerative medicine is harnessing the body's natural healing ability to treat and manage health conditions. Therefore, many chiropractors and other sports rehabilitation providers will incorporate diet and exercise into a patient's osteoarthritis management plan.

The power of a balanced diet in managing osteoarthritis

A balanced diet with plenty of anti-inflammatory foods — such as fruits, vegetables, and omega-3 fatty acids — can help reduce pain and inflammation in the joints. This makes the Mediterranean diet a good choice. However, patients do not have to change their diet completely. They can simply incorporate more of the following foods into their diet to help alleviate osteoarthritis symptoms:

• Berries
• Citrus fruits
• Beans and whole grains
• Dark, leafy greens
• Nightshade vegetables (eggplants, potatoes, tomatoes, etc.)

Chiropractors and other healthcare providers also recommend limiting processed foods and saturated fats. These foods are high in sodium and unhealthy trans fats, which increase inflammation and exacerbate symptoms.

Exercise as a component of osteoarthritis management

Regular exercise can enhance joint function and mobility, as well as make everyday activities more feasible. For osteoarthritis management in particular, opt for low-impact aerobic exercises such as swimming, walking, or bicycling. These workouts can strengthen muscles around the joints, improve flexibility, and help maintain a healthy weight. Together, these benefits work to reduce stress on weight-bearing joints and relieve pain over time.

Incorporating flexibility exercises and stretching can provide a well-rounded approach to managing osteoarthritis. For instance, pilates, yoga, and flexibility training help maintain and improve joint range of motion and function. At the very least, patients will be advised to stretch before and after exercising to warm up and cool down the muscles, prevent tightness, and ease joint pain and inflammation.

When combined with other management strategies, exercise can significantly slow the progression of osteoarthritis. Exercise is also known to boost mood and productivity. The result is an active, independent lifestyle and a better quality of life.

Long-term osteoarthritis management

There is no cure for osteoarthritis as of today, but chiropractors and sports rehabilitation providers can help patients manage their symptoms for the long term. As mentioned, they will recommend more dramatic changes to diet and exercise habits in the first stages of management.

Once symptoms have improved markedly, patients may relax their approach to diet and exercise. However, staying consistent with these healthy habits can lead to better, longer-lasting health outcomes. That means keeping osteoarthritis symptoms under control and managing the occasional flare-up.

Routine medical checkups are another key component of long-term osteoarthritis management. These appointments allow the healthcare provider to monitor the patient's condition and catch any problems early on. Chiropractic care and sports rehabilitation can complement traditional medical treatment.

Get relief from osteoarthritis symptoms

Together, diet and exercise can significantly slow the progression of osteoarthritis and improve overall joint function. To learn more about managing your symptoms, consult our team at Spine & Joint Regenerative Medicine. We help patients in Ooltewah and nearby find relief from osteoarthritis.

Request an appointment here: https://sjrm-tn.com or call Spine & Joint Regenerative Medicine at (423) 424-1529 for an appointment in our Ooltewah office.

Check out what others are saying about our services on Yelp: Read our Yelp reviews.