When your joints start to ache and you’re feeling stiff, you know there are certain activities that you should stop doing immediately. Such bad habits for your joints can lead to an overall decrease in quality of life. When you’ve developed arthritis in your fingers, the last thing you want to do is type out a thesis.
But there are also some less-obvious habits that can do quite a number on your aching joints. Your experts at your local pain clinic Orange County office want you to stay appraised of the worst habits you can do for your joints.
There are different ways that you can put an end to these habits and develop healthier routines to keep you feeling comfortable and strong.
Bad Habits for Your Joints
Below you can find some habits that your joints will not appreciate. We advise avoiding these bad habits for your joints.
Carrying Too-Heavy Bags
Whether you’re a college student or an avid mall shopper, you should take a second to ask yourself if you are constantly carrying around your heavy bags. A purse or backpack with a lot of heavy items in it can put quite the strain on your back, muscles, and yes – your joints.
A good rule of thumb is to never carry anything around that is heavier than 5% of your body weight. If someone weighs 100 pounds, they should not be carrying more than 5 pounds of weight around in their bag at a time.
Exercising Too Much
Too much of anything can be harmful. Starting a new exercise routine is exciting and can often lead to better health, but remember to take things in moderation. Most people who are eager to exercise tend to overdo it, and this can end up putting joints in a world of hurt. WebMD recommends coming up with a fitness plan with your pain specialist so you can better understand your body’s needs and limits. Too much exercise can cause sharp pains and muscle soreness that will last for days.
Not Exercising Enough
On the opposite end of the spectrum, it is also dangerous to stay sedimentary. It’s important that you engage your body in some movement to promote proper blood flow and to keep your systems regulated.
Not to mention, sitting in one place for too long can cause your muscles and joints to hurt. As the cartilage weakens when blood can’t get to it, you’ll start to experience lots of pain and soreness. Sitting down too much is just as bad for your joints as exercising too much.
Too Many Repeated Activities
Probably the worst thing you can do for your joints is to engage them in constant repeat activities. This means things like typing, texting, playing the piano, chopping up veggies, and sewing are bad activities for your joints.
This doesn’t mean you need to stop these activities completely. In fact, you can keep doing the things you love, but just be sure to take a break every so often. Professionals recommend that you take a break every few minutes to give your hands a rest, and so you don’t overwork your aching joints.
Not Enough Sleep
Never underestimate the power of a good night’s sleep. Lack of healthy sleep can be detrimental to more than just your joints. You’ll feel groggy, fatigued, and just not like your full self. Some of the first parts of your body that start to suffer from a lack of sleep are your joints and muscles. Give your body the proper rest it deserves and keep your joints in tip-top shape!
Manage Your Pain Effectively!
Dealing with constant joint pain can put a damper on your ability to enjoy everyday life. Depending on the nature and severity of your pain, a more progressive treatment may be needed. At CRPM, we offer joint injections Orange County as well as other procedures that can bring you some much-needed and much-deserved relief. Our Orange County pain management pros are here for you; all you need to do is call!
