September 22, 2023
Arthritis (specifically osteoarthritis), often referred to as the “wear and tear” disease, affects millions of people worldwide. This degenerative joint condition leads to pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility. While osteoarthritis may seem inevitable with age, or a doom sentence you think you may have coming through your genetics, there’s good news for those looking to protect their joints and manage this condition effectively: strength training can be a powerful ally in preventing and alleviating osteoarthritis.
Before diving into the benefits of strength training, it’s essential to understand what knee osteoarthritis is. This condition primarily affects the joint, occurring when the protective cartilage that cushions the ends of bones wears down over time. While age and genetics can play a large role in development of knee arthritis, it’s important to note that many lifestyle factors and activity levels can dictate to what extent those genes are actually expressed and therefore how arthritis may ultimately impact you.
Strength training, also known as resistance or weight training, involves using resistance to improve muscle strength and endurance. While it may not directly target the cartilage, strength training offers several ways to prevent or alleviate osteoarthritis:
To harness the benefits of strength training for osteoarthritis prevention and management, consider the following tips:
Not sure where to start? Already have pain and worried about how you could possibly partake in strength training exercises? That is where we come in. As experts in the musculoskeletal system, we will meet you where you are at and guide you on a path towards succeeding in doing life’s important things. Work that you’ll reap benefits from now and in the future.
With proper guidance and dedication, you can build resilience against osteoarthritis and move better and feel better.