Three Types of Bunions
Did you know there’s more than one type of bunions? These bony growths aren’t just a painless lump. They can cause discomfort and make you feel self-conscious about your feet. Learn more about bunions and how we treat them.
Bad Habits That Make Your Joint Pain Worse
Joint pain can result from a variety of issues, ranging from osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and other health problems to sprains, strains, and injuries. If you're suffering discomfort you're far from alone — approximately one in three adults had experienced joint pain in the last month when surveyed. The good news is there are some bad habits you can lose that can help improve discomfort or perhaps even prevent it from starting in the first place.
Dr. Eric Blanson and our highly trained team at PMC Foot and Ankle Clinic in Spring, Texas, treat a wide range of foot and ankle problems. We care for children and adults in a family-style atmosphere designed to build a relationship and provide personalized care. Whether you're suffering from a sports injury, joint pain, podiatry issues or more, we can help.
Bad habits
Some people experience joint pain for a specific reason while others develop it because of bad habits. Read on for a list of behaviors to watch out for — and what you can do about them.
Exercising too little or too much
Exercise is an important step in keeping joints healthy with strength training being particularly crucial to build and strengthen muscles around the joints. Strength training using weights or body weight should be done at least twice a week with a focus on all major muscle groups.
Though getting the right type and amount of exercise is critical, do watch out for overtraining. When beginning a new exercise routine or increasing the challenge of a workout, start slowly, and listen to your body to prevent injury.
Not moving enough
In addition to making time for dedicated exercise, be sure to periodically stretch, stand up, or walk around throughout the day. This keeps the blood flowing and reduces fatigue in the muscles and strain on the joints and cartilage from staying in the same position too long.
Indulging in unhealthy habits
Smoking and using chewing tobacco can constrict blood flow to the joints, so cut back or quit, if possible. Eat a healthy diet to prevent weight gain (or to lose weight, if needed). Extra pounds cause more stress on the joints particularly the hips, knees, and spine.
In addition, get enough sleep, and eat plenty of foods containing calcium like low- or no-fat dairy and vitamin D such as salmon, cereal, and drinks that are vitamin D-fortified.
Ignoring pain
It's easy to dismiss pain hoping it will go away, but if you’ve experienced discomfort for over a week, it's time to see the doctor. Especially in cases with swelling, stiffness, or tenderness, it's important to get a proper diagnosis and treatment plan to prevent more significant problems later.
If you're experiencing joint pain, call our office at 832-224-5604, or click our book online button today to find out what is going on and how best to treat the issue.
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