As we age, our bodies go through a lot of changes, and one of the most common changes is the development of joint pain and stiffness. But how can you tell if your joint pain is just a sign of old age or if it’s something more serious, like osteoarthritis (OA)? Either way, there’s a lot that you can do to improve things. So let’s take a look.
I’m a big advocate for not just putting up with aches and pains when you don’t have to. I see it all the time in clinic, people are both delighted and annoyed at how easy it is to improve the way your body functions. Delighted that they can do much more without pain but annoyed that they had waited so long. Putting up with it thinking that there was nothing that could be done. Until in utter desperation, they seek help. The goal of this blog is to stop you from falling into the same trap.
What is OA?
Well, let’s start with the basics. OA is a degenerative joint disease that occurs when the protective cartilage that cushions the ends of the bones in the joint wears down over time. This can cause pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility in the affected joint.
Now, you might be thinking, “But isn’t that just a sign of old age?” And to a certain extent, you’re right. As we get older, our joints tend to wear down and become less resilient. However, the difference between normal age-related joint changes and OA is the degree of damage and the severity of symptoms.
How can I tell if it’s old age or OA?
So, how can you tell if your joint pain is just a sign of old age or if it’s something more serious, like OA? Here are a few things to look out for:
- Location: OA typically affects weight-bearing joints like the hips, knees, and spine. If your joint pain is focused on these areas, it’s more likely to be OA.
- Timing: OA pain is usually worse after activity and improves with rest. If your joint pain is consistently worse after a certain activity or at a certain time of day, it’s more likely to be OA.
- Severity: As we mentioned earlier, some joint pain and stiffness are normal as you age. But if the pain is severe or if it’s affecting your ability to do daily activities, it’s more likely to be OA.
What can I do about it?
Thankfully there is so much that you can do to help. Joints whether they have arthritis or not function so much better when they are well-aligned and well-supported by the muscles around them. Our joints also wear much better when properly supported. So with a simple program of exercise and advice, you can reduce your pain and stiffness and improve your day-to-day function.
My Pain Free BODY Program is designed to tackle this very problem. It’s like a full-body MOT – and who doesn’t want one of those? Starting with your feet and finishing with your head we move through a 14-stage assessment that identifies problems such as stiffness, weakness, poor posture, and poor biomechanics (alignment). Once we have completed this and we know what areas need improving I take you through a staged exercise program to address all the issues that we have found, together we work on your strength, and improve your flexibility, balance, and posture. These exercises are carefully designed for people just like you. They are suitable for joints of any age arthritic or not and I guide you each step of the way. Have a look at what is included in the Pain Free BODY course here.
A great place to start would be to enrol on my FREE posture course where I share with you hints and tips to improve the way your body works. You can enrol straight away and it takes only 35 minutes.
Arthritic Knees?
Have a look at my Arthritic Knee Program.
Conclusion
Whether it is old age or OA there’s a lot that you can do to help improve the way your body functions and reduce your pain, so you can concentrate on enjoying life. Don’t just put up with it do something proactive. Maybe start with my FREE course or have a read of some of my blogs with great hints and tips for staying fit after retirement and specific advice for OA.
Take care, Helen
Helen Manders BSc (Hons) MCSP HCPC
Chartered Physiotherapist Since 2001
