Common Habits That Can Hurt Your Joints

Wearing high heels every now and then might be the reason behind your joint aches, but this is not the only thing that contributes to joint problems. As per the experts from the leading orthopaedic surgery hospital in India, all the things that we do in our day to day life directly or indirectly impact our joints and determine their health and well-being in the long run. Joint problems can be a result of many factors, some of which might not be in our control, while others can be easily managed by resorting to a healthy lifestyle and refraining from some and healthy habits. In this blog are going to talk about 7 such habits that you need to break or else these can wreck your joint health. 

1. Excessive use of phones and laptops – Phones and laptops were made for our convenience but our increased dependence on the same has been quite alarming. Texting or typing for hours can lead to the repetitive movement of certain joints. This can add to joint wear and tear. Hence it is important to take a regular break from work and stretch a little. 

2. Sitting still – When we say that staying active is good for your joints, it not only refers to those 30 to 40 minutes of exercise but also includes not sitting in the same position for hours. Sitting still for too long not only strains your muscles but also elevates the flow of blood to the joints. It is hence important to change your posture from time to time. 

3. Carrying a heavy backpack – Carrying a heavy backpack or purse on your shoulders not only affects your posture but also put an unnecessary strain on the muscles and joints present in your shoulder and neck. Avoid carrying unnecessary and extra stuff in your bag and make sure that you are comfortable while wearing it. 

4. Taking your joints for granted – Most of us tend to take our health for granted by ignoring simple symptoms and taking our joint health for granted. It is important to understand that having persistent joint pain, inflammation and swelling are not normal and require immediate medical evaluation. This can be the sign of some degenerative joint disease or even an injury that can progress over time. Both of these happen to be the leading cause of knee and hip replacement in India. 

5. Gaining excessive body weight – Our joints bear the weight of our body, which means, the more you weigh, the greater the strain in your joints. Obesity is an open doorway for a plethora of health issues including various joint problems as well. The excess weight over taxes the joints, thereby increasing the risks of cartilage tears.

6. Not getting enough sleep – A healthy sleep cycle is very important for your overall well-being and significantly impacts your joint health. It is while you are asleep that your body gets time to recover from daily wear and tear.  You can start with limiting your caffeine intake and turning off your mobile phones once you lay down on your bed.

7. Indulging in high-intensity exercise – No doubt staying active is extremely beneficial for your joints, it is important to understand what level of activity is good for you. Too much of everything is bad and the same goes for exercise. As per the doctors specialising in knee replacement in India, indulging and vigorous exercises can increase joint wear and tear, as well as lead to unnecessary pain and discomfort.

It is important to manage all these before they start taking a toll on your joint health.