Matthew Burrell N.D.
Naturopath and Neuromuscular Therapist
Our joints are areas of shock absorption and are constantly dealing with the jarring effects from being active. Unfortunately, if we don’t look after our joints, they will degenerate.
HOW CAN WE KEEP OUR JOINTS HEALTHY?
Joints are lined with a shock absorbing structure consisting of articular cartilage, synovial fluid and subchondral bone which are held together with ligaments for stability. The purpose of this joint capsule is to prevent friction at the end of each adjoining bone structure and allow for smooth gliding movements. Specialised cells talk to each other to ensure that growth and repair of these shock absorbing structures may occur. However, when this process of communication between joint cartilage and bone becomes dysfunctional, we can begin to feel stiff and sore
Not looking after your joints can lead to a slow degeneration of your shock absorbing structures and this can result in pain, stiffness, tender joints that become difficult to move.
Sore and stiff joints are just like a rusty old gate that hasn’t been used for a while, the hinges seize up, they become difficult to swing open and they become weak and brittle. This can all be prevented by using the gate more regularly, lubricating the hinges and putting a protective coating over the material to prevent corrosion.
IN ORDER TO KEEP YOUR JOINTS HEALTHY, TRY EMBRACING THE SUGGESTIONS BELOW INTO YOUR DAY:
- Be aware and use appropriate nutrients for growth and repair of cartilage and bone. Improve joint repair with supplementation for the proliferation of articular cartilage and a reduction in degeneration. The use of high-quality practitioner only supplements will ensure that you are receiving only the best clinically proven natural medicines.
- Reduce inflammation. This aids in a reduction of pain and stiffness and allows the self-healing mechanism to begin to repair the damaged tissue. Natural anti-inflammatory medicines are all clinically tested for safety and efficacy.
- Do weight bearing exercises (intermittent loading)
If you feel that you need some assistance in improving your joint health I would here to help. Please feel free to make an appointment by calling 03 5221 8220.
Wear and tear of joints is inevitable, but like the rusty gate, prevention and repair of the existing structures can be achieved
Take care and have a great week,
Matt
References:
McAlindon TE, Nuite M, Krishnan N, Ruthazer, R, Price, LL, Burstein D. Change in knee osteoarthritis cartilage detected by delayed gadolinium enhanced magnetic resonance imaging following treatment with collagen hydrolysate: a pilot randomized controlled trial, Osteoarthritis and Cartilage 2011;19(4):399-405.
Benner RW, Shelbourne KD, Bauman SN, Norris A, Gray T. Knee Osteoarthritis: Alternative Range of Motion Treatment. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ocl.2019.05.001
