5 Ways You Might Be Making Joint Stiffness Worse

If you’re reading this, there’s a good chance you’re dealing with some level of joint stiffness.

And while it might seem like there’s nothing you can do to make the pain go away, there are actually a few things you might be doing that are making your stiffness worse. Give a few of them below a try and let me know if any help.

Not Stretching

This might seem like a no-brainer, but stretching is an important part of relieving joint stiffness.

Without regular stretches and movement, your joints can become even more inflamed and stiff. Try to do some gentle stretching at least once a day, focusing on the area that’s causing you pain.

>> Follow along with this video for 10 minutes of easy stretching

Sitting Too Much

Sitting for long periods of time can lead to stiff joints because it doesn’t allow them to move and stretch properly. It also reduces the amount of blood flow to your affected area, which can cause more pain and discomfort.

So try taking regular breaks during your workday by standing up or walking around if possible.

Smoking

Smoking has been linked to all sorts of health issues and joint stiffness is one of them. The chemicals in cigarettes damage your body’s natural ability to heal itself and can make existing inflammation worse.

In case you didn’t know…

Smoking reduces the absorption of calcium leading to weaker bones in smokers.

Menopausal women and older people who smoke are likely to suffer fractures.

So if you’re dealing with joint stiffness and you smoke, it’s time to quit!

Not Enough Water

Proper hydration is essential for keeping your body healthy. But it’s also important for your joint health. That’s because not drinking enough water can lead to joint stiffness and pain.

Dehydration can lead to all sorts of problems, including stiff joints.

The reason has to do with the way our bodies are designed.

Our joints are tasked with supporting our weight and helping us move our limbs.

In order to do that, they rely on a type of lubricant called synovial fluid.

This fluid is what allows our bones to move smoothly against each other without pain or inflammation.

But here’s the thing: synovial fluid is mostly water. So when we don’t drink enough H2O, that fluid starts to thin out and our joints have to work a lot harder—which leads to stiffness and pain.

So make sure you’re drinking at least 8 glasses of water per day to keep your joints happy and healthy.

You’re Eating Too Much Sugar

We all know sugar isn’t great for our health, but did you know it can actually make joint pain worse?

That’s because sugar causes inflammation, and inflammation is one of the main reasons people experience joint stiffness in the first place.

Cutting back on sugar can help keep your joints from becoming inflamed and make it easier to move around without pain.

Joint stiffness can be a debilitating condition that affects many people. Fortunately, there are some steps you can take to alleviate the pain and make your joints healthier in the long run. Stretching regularly, quitting smoking, staying active, drinking enough water, and cutting back on sugar are all effective ways of reducing joint stiffness.

When combined with proper medical treatment, these steps can help you get back to enjoying an active lifestyle free from pain.

Try it out to see what I mean. You have nothing to lose but better joint health!