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November 30, 2020

How to look after your joints in your 40s, 50s, 60s

Filed under: Fitness — Tags: — admin @ 3:11 am

We all want to wake up with a little spring in our step – but sometimes, prioritising our health and wellbeing keeps falling off that never-ending to-do list.

However, there’s a strong case for taking a little time to get familiar with your joints and giving them a little more TLC. In fact, joint health is a crucial – and often underrated – part of maintaining optimal wellbeing at any age.

“The joints should be able to move smoothly through their available movement, and the muscles around the joints should be strong enough to support the activities the joints need to perform,” explains physiotherapist Michael Dermansky.

One factor that supports everyday tasks you do, from walking up stairs to playing with the kids and grandkids, or doing that cycling tour of the Pyrenees you’ve been dreaming of, is good joint health. 

“If the joints don’t move properly and the muscles are not strong enough, it puts more load on joint surfaces, which may cause joint pain as a result,” says Dermansky.

“This becomes a vicious cycle – as you do less due to pain, it reduces the normal movement of the joints, the muscles become weaker and the tasks become harder. Joint health really affects our quality of life as we get older.” 

Here’s how you can support your joints today for a healthier future (even if you’re still a spring chicken). 

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In your 40s

It’s common to see the beginnings of joint niggles now. “It may be the first time you feel a bit sore when you get out of the car,” says Dermansky.

These first niggles are, he says, often a sign to do something about it. “If you hurt your back in your 20s and 30s, you go to your physio, chiro or osteo for a few sessions, and don’t worry about it again. Your 40s is when you usually realise that the problem really didn’t get fixed and you need to work out what’s really going on,” explains Dermansky.

“The answer is usually that there is only minimal joint damage, but the strength and muscle support has slowly and quietly deteriorated over time, due to lifestyle.”

In your 50s

If you haven’t been paying attention in your 40s, this decade is typically when joint wear and tear and muscle weakness begins to progress further.

According to Dermansky, “It’s important to note that joint and muscle changes at this stage are less likely due to age, but often related to lifestyle choices and circumstances which you may be able to change. The most common joint problem areas are the back, hips, knees and neck. You can, in many cases, still do something about it by making the area stronger.” 

In your 60s

“Into your 60s and beyond, unfortunately, joint issues can linger,” he says. 

This can compromise your joint mechanics. But one of many things you can do is apply some guided exercises, under the supervision of a health professional.

Need better moving joints? Choose Blackmores Joint Formula Advanced to relieve symptoms of mild osteoarthritis and maintain joint health. Head to www.blackmores.com.au/products/joint-formula-advanced for more information.

ALWAYS READ THE LABEL. FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS FOR USE. IF SYMPTOMS PERSIST, TALK TO YOUR HEALTH PROFESSIONAL.

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