Do you suffer from chronic joint pain and just want some relief?

It certainly seems to increasingly be a problem for many people these days...

There are many possible causes of joint pain but some of the most common include:

• Inflammation – perhaps driven by diet, stress, toxins, or underlying infections

• Ageing – As you age, collagen (which is critical for cartilage) production declines.

• Poor posture – Putting pressure and strain on joints.

• Inactivity – Being sedentary and not working the joints can lead to stiffness and pain.

• Rheumatoid Arthritis – Where the immune system is attacking the tissues in the joints

• Injuries – Either directly to the joint or an area that puts extra pressure on it.

• Repetitive movement – This could be due to a certain job, hobby, or sport.

Whilst there are many potential causes, there are also many things that may help to provide some relief and support joint health…

Diet

The foods we eat can either nourish us and help us to heal, or harm us and increase inflammation in the body, and / or damage our gut lining.

These foods can vary from person to person, but a focus on single ingredient, unprocessed, natural foods is a really important starting point.

Gut Health / Leaky Gut

Speaking of foods, having a healthy gut is important not just for overall health but also for joint health.

“Leaky gut” is a condition in which toxins, bacteria, and even microscopic bits of food can “leak” through the intestinal wall.

Leaky gut can cause many health issues, inflammation and autoimmune conditions such as Rheumatoid Arthritis in particular.

Thus, anything that can affect the health of the gut can have an impact on the health of your joints.

Weight Loss

For those who are overweight, losing even a small amount of weight can significantly aid in taking some stress off the joints.

Exercise and Resistance Training

Exercise can help relieve stiffness whilst increasing circulation, plus aid in weight loss if needed.

In terms of weight / resistance training, there’s no need to pump iron like a bodybuilder; resistance bands or light weights can be a great starting point.

Tinned soup, beans, or other foods can even be used as weights if you don’t want to go to the gym!

But suffice to say, resistance training may help to lubricate joints, decrease bone loss, and help manage swelling and pain.

Hopefully that helps.