Believe it or not, the body actually has 360 joints. As you get older, it can feel like every single one of them hurts. Chronic joint pain is incredibly common in our practice. While it may not be the number one complaint that brings someone to us, it’s often on the list of top concerns.

If you experience chronic joint pain, you’ve probably wondered, “Is this arthritis?”

We’ve come to think of arthritis as a commonplace part of aging. The truth is, though, that chronic joint pain ISN’T always arthritis.

Joint pain may come from or be exacerbated by:

-Food sensitivities
-Exercise options
-Autoimmune conditions
-Infection burden
-Dehydration and inflammation in the body
…And more

While traditional healthcare often offers options that only mask symptoms, our team helps you get to the root of the issue…so you can feel better- and move more!

Lubrication For the Win
Believe it or not, one of the most common causes of joint pain is dehydration. After all, our joints rely on the right amount of hydration to help us keep a healthy cushion between our bones.
Think about your joints like a sponge between two rocks. When the sponge is dry, the rocks are nearby and even rubbing against one another. But when the sponge is full of water, the rocks have easy mobility and maintain a healthy distance.

Staying hydrated is key. So, what is the right amount of water to drink each day? Take your body weight, divide by two. Then drink that many ounces of water per day.

So for example, a person who weighs 200 pounds might need around 100 ounces of water per day to support their joint health.

Food and Your Joints
If your joints hurt, your food choices may be playing a role. Foods that reduce inflammation are almost always a good choice for your body in general, but particularly for your joints.

Try eating more fish, nuts, vegetables, and beans instead of refined grains, sugar and dairy. Healthy fats such as olive oil, coconut oil, and avocados can also help improve joint health.

At the same time, you may be eating foods that are causing an inflammatory response from your immune system. Even “healthy” choices could be things that YOUR system is sensitized to. With testing, we can figure out which foods are the best choices to lower your inflammatory burden—and this looks slightly different for everyone.
When you nourish your body properly, you can feel and move better.

Joint Love in a Pill
In addition to a healthy diet, some supplements can also support your joints.

Fish oil is terrific for joint health as it reduces inflammation and as a result helps relieve discomfort in the body.

Another favorite for joint health is Glucosamine + Chondroitin which may support your cartilage.

The herb Boswellia is also very helpful for lowering inflammation and easing joint pain.

Of course, we recommend that you choose high-quality supplements from a reputable source. This is particularly important for fish oil, as some fish oil supplements may contain harmful contaminants. And if you’re taking blood thinners, be sure to check with your doctor first.

To Exercise or Not to Exercise
When you’ve got joint pain, you get mixed signals about exercise. Some sources tell you to exercise more. Others say, exercise less.

The truth is…both are right. It just depends on the source of your joint pain. You don’t want to over-do it with exercise, which can just lead to more pain and frustration. At the same time, movement DOES support joint health. The key is finding your tolerance and not overdoing it.

Some movements to consider might be:
Walking
Swimming or Water Aerobics
Biking
Weight training
Yoga or Tai Chi

Joint pain slows you down and keeps you from living life to the fullest. Our team uses lab tests to decipher what is going on in the body. We examine hydration, oxalate levels, food sensitivities, and many other possibilities so we can address the root cause of joint pain. With that information, we help you develop a tailored plan that will give your body exactly what it needs to heal.

The result? Our clients consistently have less pain…and more mobility.
If you are looking to determine the root cause of your joint pain- so you can address it and feel better – book a call with our knowledgeable staff.