At the end of every joint in our body is a layer of cartilage that covers it. It is a hard but flexible tissue that cushions and facilitates movement. We also find the ligaments and the joint capsule that have just fixed the joint. This is where the synovial fluid is created, which lubricates and nourishes the joint.
As you can see, the joints allow us to make all kinds of movements. Some joints only allow you to open and close, like your knees and elbows. Others allow us to move the bone forward, backward, to move it to the side or to turn it, like those of the hips and shoulders.
Why do our joints hurt over the years?
It is normal that with age and the passage of time our joints become painful. This happens because cartilage wears out. Because there is nothing (or very little) that protects the bones in the joints, they rub together and cause pain and discomfort.
We lose cartilage because over the years our body loses the ability to produce collagen. This is the protein that helps keep the joints healthy.
Women can also be affected by menopause. Because hormonal changes can increase the risk of joint discomfort. The decrease in estrogen, which protects the joints, is the cause of this discomfort.
Sport can also cause joint pain:
Practice according to which sports modalities can also influence the appearance of these pains. Overloading the joints or repeating certain movements, can adversely affect the cartilage by wearing it out or cause injury. So we must be especially careful when doing running or jumping exercises.
Take care of your joints with these tips:
- Doing low-impact sports. Sport (as long as it doesn’t make a big impact) is good for strengthening bones and joints.
- Stretch every day a little. Stretching is not only good for your muscles, but it’s also good for your joints. They will increase the range of motion of the joints and reduce pain.
- Stay at your ideal weight. Being overweight increases the load on your joints and bones and makes it easier to wear down your cartilage.
- Make sure your posture is always correct. When you are sitting, walking, picking up a heavy object, always, in every movement you make, make sure your posture is correct so that the same joints are not always overloaded.
- Respect the rest days of your training routine. This is essential so that you can recover and do not suffer from over-training when you do high intensity sessions.
- Avoid making repetitive movements. These increase pressure and rubbing of the bones, which increases wear and tear.
- If you have discomfort or pain, consult your doctor. It is better to consult a specialist if we see that it does not remit. He will help us treat it and find the best solution.
- Some collagen supplements can help us make up for the lack of this protein to protect our hinges. However, before buying one you should be well informed of what ingredients they have.