Delfi.lt. A physiotherapist told us when we do a disservice to our joints: we think we are helping, but in reality we are harming them

In the warm season, all hidden joint problems "come out" - physiotherapists note, the press release says. When we start moving more actively, we may feel pain or simply understand that "something is wrong". Experts from the information platform "Your Immunity" advise how to take care of our joints so that we can move without pain?

Pain, discomfort, redness, swelling – these are the problems that most often afflict the joint area. According to Milda Šiupšinskienė, a physiotherapist at the “City Medical Center”, this area contains not only the joints themselves, but also, less often than patients themselves, the oil sacs, ligaments, tendons and their attachment to the bones – all of which can send a pain signal. However, there may be cases when the pain may not be related to the painful area at all and may be caused, for example, by irritation of the spinal nerve roots.

However, to maintain good joint health, we often make things worse for ourselves by protecting our joints and limiting their movement.

"If we are inactive and sedentary, it seems like we are "sparing" our joints, but on the contrary - the metabolism in them becomes less good, and the muscles are not as developed to help the joints move," the doctor explains.

The ligaments, muscles, tendons, and fascia of people with low physical activity are not as well prepared for movement, and unpleasant symptoms may occur when physical activity increases, for example, in the summer, during vacation.

According to the doctor, active people who maintain moderate or high physical activity usually have a more resilient musculoskeletal system, but this does not necessarily mean that they are loading their joints optimally and that all joint structures are not wearing out.

"During very high physical exertion, ligaments and tendons sometimes suffer. In both cases, it is important to find the causes of the imbalance of the musculoskeletal system and take steps to correct them so that the injuries suffered do not lead to further changes in the joints themselves," says M. Šiupšinskienė.

Full attention

For good joint health, not only regular physical activity is important, but also attention "from the inside." You should make sure that your body does not lack the necessary substances. Water is at the top of the list. According to the doctor, dehydration negatively affects the entire body, including joints, muscles, and other connective tissues.

You should also remember to make sure that your body does not lack other beneficial substances.

"It is important that the diet is not lacking in vitamins and minerals, that the diet is as natural as possible, that it is not lacking in a balance of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, and vitamin D3, the source of which can also be UVB rays or food during the dark season," advises the physiotherapist. You can also choose food supplement complexes specially adapted for physically active people.

According to the specialist, taking care of joint health means taking care of good overall body health: being physically active every day, drinking enough fluids, getting vitamins and minerals, avoiding being stuck in static positions for as long as possible, and taking care of your emotional well-being.

"Our joints are designed to move, it doesn't necessarily have to be something special - it's very important to experience joy while moving and enjoy the variety of movements. And a simple exercise with a few stretching and mobility exercises and a few exercises for the abdominal press and buttocks will wake up the muscles in the morning or after sitting for a long time at work, preparing them for greater physical exertion," advises doctor M. Šiupšinskienė.

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