Foot Arthritis Prevention
Is It Possible?

... and why are we talking about arthritis prevention in the Foot Care section?

The short answers are

'Yes according to a number of very knowledgeable people' and
'Because the more you can do to look after your feet, the more you enjoy the benefits of walking'.

First, a quick refresher.

Arthritis comes in over 100 varieties. Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are the most common. It affects several million people in North America alone.

We used to think it was just us old 'fogies' that were affected. Not quite true.

While it's more common in our age bracket, it can affect folks at any age - even infants!

The toughest part? Once you've got it, you've got it. It's non reversible!

You've heard about an once of prevention being worth a pound of cure? With arthritis prevention, it's worth a TON of cure!

Your 'Arthritis Prevention' Game Plan

The majority of medical authors and specialists we researched think you can do something positive to prevent or delay arthritis for a long time.

(Keep in mind we're not medical professionals - only messengers. Always check with your health care provider first to be sure!)

Here goes!

Relax! Tense muscles apply stress to your joints. Less tension - less stress = lower risk of arthritis.
Get a good night's sleep! A good night's rest coupled with some moderate exercise helps balance your body.
Minimize and reduce strain - especially repetitive strain - on your muscles and joints. If your joints are aching or sore, there's something wrong. Check it ou!
Never carry something if you can pull it behind you!

Practice good posture. If you must lift heavy stuff, use your hip and leg muscles, not your back!
Exercise is good. And of course walking is a real good exercise too! Regular exercise that overcomes a sedentary lifestyle is good. Take full advantage of the benefits of this exercise!
Care and feed your old joints properly! Obesity and overweight conditions put a very huge strain on your joints. Here's a little test you can do on our Knee Pain page.
Diet and weight loss are very important! We suggest you visit our friend Gail at Easy Weight Loss Tips. She specializes on weight loss.
Make sure and drink lots of water. You've probably heard your old bod is 70% water. This includes that cartilage stuff between your joints. Keep up your water intake and your cartilage can do a better job protecting your joints.
Make sure it's WATER you drink! Not soda, pop or tea. They may contain stuff that blocks the absorption of water into your body. Lots of water every day is great for your joints!
Some people find a gentle yoga program very helpful. No more than five minutes a day can do wonders for you. The Yoga for the Rest of Us: Easy Yoga for Arthritis DVD helped a lot of people.
Protect your joints in colder weather. Gloves for the knuckles, long johns for the knees, heavier socks for your feet. Your joints will appreciate not having to 'grind it out' in the cold.