Top 5 tips to avoid osteoarthritis pain & stay mobile
Hi everybody. Dr. Michael Horowitz here, Your Friendly Neighbourhood Chiropractor and owner of Vancouver Orthotic Clinics.
October is here and with it that sweet time to ‘Trick or Treat’; but let’s not forget about our feet! So, today we are talking about osteoarthritis and methods to manage your weight bearing joint pain. Standby for the tips on how to do that – no tricks!
Seasons changed. Fall is upon us, yet I like to say autumn. We already see too many patients at our offices due to slips and falls. So let’s call this colourful season autumn!
Every day we actually take 1000’s of steps; each step represents potential pressure through your weight bearing joints.
What is a weight bearing joint, you might ask?
Your feet, ankles, knees, hips, low back and the joints of your spine when you move are all weight bearing joints. Now consider the strain you put on them in daily life and the potential for your joints to experience what so many casually call “wear and tear” over time. This condition is called osteoarthritis.
Do you know people who complain about stiff and achy joints? How did this happen? Is it just age? Perhaps a past injury? Purely genetics? Consider that each step we take is either helping or harming us – if the alignment and biomechanics at each step are not working with ease or efficiency.
How is your balance, stability, alignment and most importantly, your shock-absorption?
Start from the Ground Up!
To better manage your symptoms of arthritis, stiffness, tightness and osteoarthritis – let’s start from the ground up and consider these tips:
(1) To avoid Osteoarthritis: be mindful of your weight bearing joint activities beyond your regular walking times such as when: Running, jogging, jumping and bouncing; these might not be the right activities for you.
(2) Exercise: consider alternatives such as biking, swimming, yoga or Pilates. Even sports like ice skating or skiing are less impactful on the joints than higher impact activities.
(3) Footwear: firm and stable shoes tend to provide better outcomes than soft and over-flexible shoes.
(4) Heat tends to help arthritis joints more than cold. Remember where the snowbirds go during the winter. They love the heat down south. It helps joints move better!
(5) Remember that perfect posture starts from the ‘ground up’. Have your feet examined to discover potential causes of your joint pain. A proper diagnosis goes a long way towards resolving and managing your symptoms. A foot exam and recommendation for custom orthotics may go a long way to avoid unnecessary wear and tear.
We can’t blame AGE or Genetics ALONE for Osteoarthritis. At Vancouver Orthotic Clinics; Our Team enjoys meeting new people, problem solving, being of service and helping patients improve their posture and get out of pain!
You may be a candidate for better foot alignment, balance, stability and overall all shock-absorption. All this may also help improve your posture. You can have your feet examined with our Electronic Gait Scan & the newest 3D Foot Scanning technology.
To find out what a proper diagnosis and what it does for you click here
Visit our website and find more information you can use. You can book an appointment online or call or email us with any questions that you have.
You and your family can now also enjoy great service at our newest clinic locations in both Victoria and Whistler! See any one of our locations throughout the Greater Vancouver Area that care for you including Downton Vancouver, Burnaby, Richmond, Tri-Cities, and Surrey/North Delta.
What’s it going to be this autumn?
Trick or Treat? Just don’t forget about your feet!
Dr. Michael Horowitz, owner of Vancouver orthotic Clinics signing off and reminding you to:
Keep Moving with Your Best Foot Forward and we’ll see you next time.
info@vancouverorthoticclinics.ca
604-737-3668
Vancouver Chiropractic Services
