Move Your Way to Healthier, More Flexible Joints

Filed Under FROM THE DOCTOR'S PERSPECTIVE, SHOULDER PAIN, KNEE JOINT PAIN

by Dr. David Williams

Published 02/03/09

Many people have the mistaken notion that they’re going to “save” their joints by not moving them. But the truth is healthy joints need movement. In fact, they thrive on it!

To understand why, think of your joints as movable “hinges” where your bones connect.

Inside your joints is cartilage, which you can think of as a sponge. The cartilage is surrounded by a liquid, called the synovial fluid. Every time you move, you’re drawing nutrients into your joints and releasing waste—both of which are critical to healthy joints.

Joint health is a clear case of “use it or lose it”—and here are some easy ways to get moving.

Give Shoulder Pain the Shrug Off

One of the more common areas for joint problems is the shoulder. As people become more sedentary, they often don’t perform the motions that require raising the hands and arms above the head. This lack of movement means that these joints won’t get the opportunity to receive needed nutrients, and release waste, like they should.

Each morning I do some neck and shoulder exercises. I turn my head from left to right, side to side (ear to shoulder), chin up, chin down. Then, I continue down into the shoulders, pushing them as far back as possible, then as far forward, and then rotating them in circles. I also stretch my arms up above my head—as far as I can without discomfort. These exercises help to keep your shoulder joints flexible and healthy.

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Filed Under FROM THE DOCTOR'S PERSPECTIVE, SHOULDER PAIN, KNEE JOINT PAIN