Central Carolina HEALTH - Fall 2011 - (Page 14)

QRA: JOINTS Healthy Connections PROTECTING YOUR JOINTS IS EASIER THAN YOU THINK ARE THERE WAYS TO AVOID DAMAGING MY JOINTS? Absolutely. You can protect your joints by staying at a healthy weight, maintaining muscle tone and strength, and understanding your personal limits. For example, if you take up a new sport and begin having joint pain, you’re overdoing it. Dr. Pitts says it’s better to start slow and build up your exercise, doing a little bit each day rather than a heavy exercise day here or there during the week. “Balance your workout with aerobic, ﬂexibility and weight training so that you work your muscles as well as your stamina. You should have a pretty good understanding of what your joints can take, so be sure you keep a keen eye on weight-bearing joints like your knees and don’t overwork or overstress them,” says Dr. Pitts. Learn w hat sha p taking a quick e your joints Found a quiz fr ation. G om the re in by o to w Arthrit ww.ar is jointth health -quiz.p ritis.org / hp. Answe 5 Ques r tions WHAT CAN I DO TO PREVENT INJURIES? Stretching and strengthening are essential, and you don’t want to strengthen without stretching. Be aware of daily activities such as spending hours at the computer, which seems benign but creates problems over time. “It’s so important to use proper body mechanics,” reminds Dr. Pitts. Theodore M. Pitts, MD, board-certified orthopedic surgeon IF I DO INJURE ONE OF MY JOINTS, WHAT SHOULD I DO? At the earliest stages, it’s helpful to take a low dose of overthe-counter nonsteroidal medication; just check with your doctor or pharmacist to be sure it’s safe for you. If pain lasts more than a few days, see a doctor. “If you have a simple ache or pain, let the body begin to heal. Typically, if you have injured your body more seriously, you’ll know it,” Dr. Pitts explains. “But if the pain continues, see your physician.” As you age, it seems each year brings new aches and pains. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Theodore M. Pitts, MD, boardcertified orthopedic surgeon on staff at Central Carolina Hospital, says a healthy dose of common sense and some smart moves can keep your joints healthy. 30 14 | FA L L 2 0 1 1 The percentage of adults who reported joint pain in the previous 30 days (knee pain was No. 1), according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.arthritis.org/joint-health-quiz.php

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Central Carolina HEALTH - Fall 2011

Central Carolina HEALTH - Fall 2011
From the CEO
Contents
Health Beat
Ladies First
Role Reversal
Health Smart
Q+A
Smaller Portions, Bigger Success

Central Carolina HEALTH - Fall 2011