***This content comes from the Joint Pain Programme Journal by Nuffield Health. As a Rehab Specialist running this program, I’m excited to share these helpful insights with you all.
Excess weight is one of the biggest contributors to joint pain and associated health risks.
Maintaining a healthy body weight is one of the key ways to reduce pain and disease risk factors.
Excess body fat is not just passive weight, but is also responsible for higher levels of pro-inflammatory chemicals, which can exacerbate any existing joint problems.
Higher weights are also associated with osteoarthritis due to the increased pressure on joints.
Even in cases of joint pain not related to osteoarthritis, increased weight will make the stress and damage worse.
By reducing excess body weight through exercise and a healthy diet, not only will you experience less joint pain, but your risk of developing associated diseases will also decrease.
There are a number of reasons to maintain a healthy weight, aside from musculoskeletal health.
Can you think of 5?
Conditions linked to poor weight management:
Cardiovascular disease
Diabetes
Stroke
Cancer
Depression
Sleep apnoea
Reduced libido
Indigestion issues
Dementia
Joint pain
Your Space to Reflect
📍 Starting Point
- How does your weight affect your joint health and movement?
- What connection have you noticed between weight and pain levels?
🤔 Looking Deeper
- When have you successfully made healthy lifestyle changes?
- How does maintaining a healthy weight impact your daily activities?
💡 Exploring Possibilities
- Which healthy habits could you incorporate into your routine?
- What small changes could make the biggest difference?
🔄 New Perspectives
- How might understanding the joint-weight connection change your motivation?
- What would prioritizing healthy weight management look like for you?
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