8 Joint-Friendly Habits to Help Slow OA Progression 

If your joints feel swollen or achy, you’re not alone.  One in five adults in the United States have osteoarthritis, a condition characterized by joint wear-and-tear and often pain. You might notice it more as you get older, but anyone can develop OA —- especially individuals with previous joint injuries and a family history of osteoarthritis.

Common areas osteoarthritis affects? Think of the knees, hips, hands, and spine. While there’s no cure for osteoarthritis, there are several ways to manage the pain and reduce OA progression — from lifestyle changes to regenerative interventions or even surgery in severe cases. 

See Dr. Kevin O’Donnell at Revitalize Regenerative Orthopedics LLC, conveniently located in the Denver metropolitan area, to further ease osteoarthritis discomfort.

Top 8 joint-friendly habits that ease osteoarthritis pain

Healthy lifestyle habits that optimize your joint’s health include:

1. Apply ice and heat

Apply ice or heat packs (or alternate ice with heat) to reduce osteoarthritis stiffness and pain. Dr. O’Donnell explains how often to use these therapies to improve joint health, ease any discomfort, and slow OA disease progression. 

2. Keep your body moving

Moving your joints can alleviate stiffness and strengthen muscles surrounding the affected joints. If intense exercise causes pain, choose low-impact alternatives like water aerobics, swimming, cycling, or using an elliptical machine. Consider weight training too; see a physical therapist for disease-specific exercises. 

3. Wear shoe inserts or braces

Consider wearing shoe inserts or braces as directed by Dr. O’Donnell to stabilize your joints, better support them, and take pressure off painful, sore, or swollen areas. 

4. Consider complementary therapies

Holistic treatments complement traditional osteoarthritis therapies to maximize joint health. Consider massage, meditation, acupuncture, tai chi, yoga, or similar joint-friendly activities.

5. Take dietary supplements

Dr. O’Donnell offers dietary supplement recommendations that also enhance joint health. He may suggest vitamin and mineral supplements, glucosamine, chondroitin, avocado-soybean oil mixtures, omega-3 fatty acids, or similar products to slow OA progression. 

6. Don’t smoke

Smoking increases the risk of many chronic diseases (osteoarthritis is no exception) or makes their symptoms more severe. Avoid smoking, vaping, and chewing tobacco to reduce osteoarthritis progression. 

7. Eat nutritious foods

Eat foods that help combat inflammation, including an array of fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, legumes, salmon and other high-protein foods, whole grains, avocados, and extra-virgin olive oil. Studies suggest the Mediterranean diet, which includes many of these foods, is beneficial for preventing or managing osteoarthritis. 

8. Maintain a healthy weight 

Achieving and maintaining an ideal body weight takes extra pressure off your joints, reducing the risk of OA disease progression and bothersome pain. To achieve an ideal weight, make healthy food choices, drink plenty of water, get 7-9 hours of sleep, minimize stress, and stay active.

Additional osteoarthritis treatments

Dr. O’Donnell at Revitalize Regenerative Orthopedics LLC offers the following regenerative treatments and other solutions to effectively manage osteoarthritis and ease joint pain:

• Focused shockwave therapy 
• Radial shockwave therapy (EPAT®)
• Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy
• Stem cell therapy
• Prolotherapy
• Joint injections
• Physical therapy 
• Medications 

He also offers referrals for surgery in severe cases. Combining joint-friendly habits with medical interventions at Revitalize Regenerative Orthopedics LLC can maximize joint function, ease pain, and restore your quality of life. 

Enhance your joint health after an osteoarthritis diagnosis by contacting us at Revitalize Regenerative Orthopedics LLC by phone or online today.