Treating joint-related diseases
Healthy joints are a matter of nature and nurture. There is a hereditary cause for the onset of arthritic afflictions, but manual and physical labour as well as our lifestyle can certainly exacerbate the onset and progress of certain joint diseases.
Physical non-impact exercise is greatly beneficial to the health of the joints. It reduces pain and joint stiffness. The cyclical joint movements that take place with indoor biking, cross trainer and swimming aid in maintaining a healthy cartilage layer in joints as well as keeping the muscles around the joints supple. In fact, research shows that stretching and bending helps the fluid in the joints, called synovial fluid, to nourish the joint cartilage.
Physical exercise also helps to reduce weight. Weight gain has been found to have a detrimental effect on the weight-bearing joints, particularly the hip and knee, and losing weight has a positive effect on decreasing pain and stiffness particularly in osteoarthritic joints.
Research has shown that for every pound (0.45kg) gained, the stress on the knees increases by four times.
Sadly, there are no magic potions or lotions that prevent the onset of degenerative or inflammatory...