A joint is any place in your body where two bones meet. Most joints help your body to move, bend and twist and are designed to provide the stability to do these movements safely.
There are several different types of joints:
- Ball and socket joints: e.g. Shoulder and Hip joints. These allow backward, sideways and rotating movements.
- Hinge joints: Allow only bending and straightening movements e.g. Fingers, knees, elbows and toes.
- Pivot joints: Allows limited rotating movements. e.g. neck joints.
- Ellipsoidal Joints: Allow all types of movements except pivotal movements. e.g. Wrist joints.
How do you care for your joints?
- Physical Activity: Your exercise should focus on your overall health and have variations that build on strength, aerobic fitness, flexibility, balance and co-ordination.
- Maintain a health weight: Being overweight increases stress on your joints and increases your risk of developing osteoarthritis.
- Healthy Eating: Eat plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables, wholegrain cereals, and watch your salt and sugar intake. Omega 3 fatty acids have been shown to have a mild anti- inflammatory effect which can be helpful in both preventing and treating arthritis.
- Treat injuries/ pain promptly: Investigating pain and having treatment can help minimise long term damage and improve the healing outcome.
For any injuries or pain in any of your joint areas we can assess and determine the best way to help you heal, here at Back to Health Physiotherapy in Newport. Call us today!
