For those who suffer with joint pain, you’ve probably heard a lot of crazy assumptions about yourself and your condition. After a while, it’s understandable to grow increasingly frustrated and annoyed with all of the misinformation, however sadly with as common as these conditions are, these topics are simply not discussed enough for individuals to be more educated about it. That is why we’re here to set some individuals straight about the truth. Here are six myths and six truths about joint pain.
Myth 1: All Joint Pain is Arthritis
Truth: Arthritis just happens to be one of the most common forms of joint pain, however it’s definitely not the only condition. Other people with joint pain can potentially suffer from osteoarthritis, tendonitis, bursitis, rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, temporomandibular, gout and many more! All types have their own symptoms, supplements and treatment plans, so it’s best to understand each of them. If you truly don’t understand which joint pain you are suffering from, the best thing one can do is to make an appointment with the practitioner or doctor to receive a correct diagnosis.
Myth 2: Avoid Exercising with Joint Pain
Truth: Actually, exercise is normally recommended as a form of treatment for those who suffer with joint pain. Exercising is a great way to build strength in muscles and tendons, decrease pain, and increase mobility and flexibility. Those who suffer with joint conditions may have to lessen the intensity of some exercises, however they don’t have to sacrifice their workouts altogether. There are several exercises that people can do that won’t be too strenuous on the joints or muscles. Some of these exercises include endurance workouts (walking or riding a bike), core exercises (sit-ups), stretching (yoga, tai chi, or Pilates), water exercises (swimming), and strength training.
Myth 3: Nightshade Vegetables Are Dietary Cures for Joint Pain
Truth: While there are some foods that can be beneficial to those who suffer from joint pain, nightshade vegetables may need to be avoided in order to prevent inflammation. Some nightshade foods include: tomatoes, eggplant, chili peppers, bell peppers, paprika, and any other red spices. Some people suffer from nightshade intolerance and sometimes might experience joint pain as a symptom. Nightshade vegetables may also flare up other medical conditions such as fatigue, migraines, skin irritations, and digestive issues. On the other hand, foods that might benefit those with joint pain are Omega 3 Fatty Acids/Fish oils, Brassica Vegetables (broccoli, cauliflower, and Brussel sprouts), fruits (apples, tomatoes, blueberries, pineapple and strawberries), Extra-Virgin Olive Oil, garlic and root vegetables, and bone broth.
Myth 4: Only Elderly People Experience Joint Pain
Truth: Risks of joint pain conditions increase as you age, however joint pain is not age specific. All types of people from an infant, a child, teenager up to a young adult have potential to experience joint pain. This can all depend on different factors. Some infants are actually born with juvenile arthritis, meanwhile young adults may have a higher risk of developing joint pain if they are more athletically inclined than others. Athletes such as football players, basketball players, gymnasts, dancers, cheerleaders, track runners, wrestlers etc. may experience joint conditions due to injuries, over-stretching, or overtraining the body.
Myth 5: Diet Has No Effect on Joint Conditions
Truth: While diet may not cure joint pain, it definitely has an effect on it. As stated previously, there are many foods that can help decrease the pain and inflammation. There are also studies that show that maintaining a healthy weight throughout your younger years can help ward off any type of arthritis. Dr. Mark McQuillan M.D, associate professor in the Department of Internal Medicine, Divisions of General Medicine and Rheumatology at the University of Michigan stated, “Keeping close to your ideal weight will be protective against osteoarthritis because obesity has been linked to osteoarthritis of the knee and hips”¹. It should be noted that maintaining a healthy diet is not proven to protect against joint conditions completely, however, it could help decrease the risk.
Myth 6: Joint Pain Can’t Be Prevented
Truth: Arthritis, along with other joint conditions, have different causes, and while there are some factors that may be out of our control such as genetics, age, gender, etc. there are ways to decrease the risks. For those who are athletic, they can prevent joint pain by stretching regularly, hydrating, wearing the right protective gear or following the safety guidelines of their coach to avoid injuries. For those who might just be more susceptible to these conditions, regular exercise and maintaining a healthy diet are perfect ways to control joint pain risks. At LifeWorks Wellness Center, we encourage our patients to at least take daily walks to get their bodies moving and to stick to the Paleo Diet, which provides all the foods that will help prevent inflammation within the body.
In Conclusion…
Because the topic of joint pain is so broad, it’s easy for people to be confused or misinterpret the truths. There are over 100 joint conditions, and while all of them may be similar, they all effect different parts of the body, have different symptoms or have differing severity of pain depending on the individual.
If you or somebody you know is suffering from joint pain, LifeWorks Wellness Center provides treatment plans for each of them. To schedule an appointment with one of our practitioners, please call 727-466-6789.
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