The Devil’s in the Details
Even for those who aren’t diagnosed, arthritis is a major health concern as they age. One in four adults in the U.S. has been diagnosed with this chronic disease. Here are a few everyday movements you should avoid to prevent worsening your arthritis.
Climbing Stairs Frequently
That giant, show-stopping staircase in the middle of your home could quietly be destroying your bones. Climbing stairs puts a lot of pressure on the knees and hips, and grates on your joints. Doing so multiple times a day can be a reason for chronic joint pain and arthritis.
Opening Tight Jars
This is especially harmful for those with arthritis in the hands and fingers. The twisting motion and pressure required to open tight jars can further aggravate the joints in the hands. Getting a jar opener is an easy fix for this.
Using Smartphones Excessively
Like opening jars, constantly using your phone, especially scrolling and texting, can put a lot of strain on your wrist and fingers. Today, at a time when most of us are addicted to TikTok, mindfully stepping away from your phone might be a helpful way to combat arthritis of the hands.
Carrying Heavy Bags
Next time you’re at the grocery store, consider getting one of those personal shopping carts. When you carry heavy bags, your shoulders, neck, and elbows take most of the load. If you do this often enough, it can lead to inflammation and chronic joint pain.
Standing for Long Periods
While most of us don’t stand around all day, there are certain professions (like retail workers, nurses, chefs, factory workers, etc) that require people to stand for a long time. People in these professions usually have a higher chance of getting arthritis because of the constant strain on their hips, knees, and feet.
Improper Sitting Posture
On the flip side, if you are a white collar worker, you could be making things harder for yourself by not having a proper sitting posture. If you slouch or twist in your chair often, you might be worsening your hips, neck, and back.
Wearing High Heels
While a good pair of high heels can make any woman feel like a million bucks, human feet were never meant to bend and stay in that position. Wearing them often can lead to an altered gait and stress on the knees, hips, and lower back.
Bending Without Support
As you age, not only does bending become more difficult, but it also puts more strain on your spine, neck, and hips. If you’re the one gardening, doing the laundry, or loading the dishwasher every day, make sure to use proper assistance when you bend.
Reaching Overhead Frequently
Arthritis already limits your range of motion quite a bit. Adding more strain to it by frequently reaching overhead (whether it is to get clothes out of your closet or food out of your pantry) is not healthy for your joints.
Sleeping on Your Stomach
Like fingerprints, sleeping positions are unique to different people. And while most of them are harmless, some ways of sleeping are better than others. When you sleep on your stomach, your back and neck aren’t always fully supported. They can get twisted out of shape, leading to further joint pain.
Knitting or Sewing for Hours
Knitting, sewing, crocheting, and embroidery are all stimulating hobbies, but keeping at it for hours can stiffen the joints in your hands. Add to that the strain of sitting still in a chair, and you are bound to have some joint pain. Like scrolling on your phone, these hobbies are also best done in moderation.
Driving Long Distances Without Breaks
If you’re a trucker (or just drive around a lot), you know the pain that you feel after you’re done with a long drive. Sitting still for a long time, pushing the gas and brake pedals, and having to grip the wheel are all motions that can trigger joint inflammation and pain.
Carrying Children on One Hip
Yes, your grandkids might love it when Pop Pop or Meemaw gives them a piggyback ride, but it is definitely not something your body loves. Carrying their weight unbalanced on your hip or back can trigger joint inflammation.
Washing Floors on Your Knees
If you don’t have a standing mop, it’s high time to invest in one. Kneeling down to scrub floors puts your entire body weight on your knees and feet and can lead to joint wear and inflammation over time.
Overusing Power Tools
Anyone working in the construction business will tell you that power tools can do a number on your body. The constant vibration and pressure can stress the joints in your hands, wrists, elbows, and shoulders, and can even throw out your back.
Scooting in Chairs Without Standing
This might seem like the most harmless thing on the list, and for many, the problem with it might not even be obvious, but scooting over puts uneven pressure on your hips, knees, and back. If you have a habit of doing this, over time, it can wear down your joints.
Twisting While Vacuuming
Wanting to reach and clean the darkest corners of your home is understandable, but putting your back on the line for it is not. Excessive twisting when vacuuming can put strain on the shoulders and can also pull the lower back muscles.
Clenching Your Jaw or Grinding Teeth
So many of us have a habit of grinding our teeth when we’re scared or nervous. It’s even more common in people who have anxiety or other mood disorders. But this habit is costly to your jaw. Over time, it can cause the joints in your jaw to deteriorate and lead to TMJ disorders.
Shoveling or Raking
Snow and mud can both be extremely heavy. The act of shovelling snow in the winters or raking soil in your garden needs you to put all your strength on your back, arms, shoulders, and elbows. Doing it repeatedly, then, can cause these joints to deteriorate.
Sitting Cross-Legged
Like scooting, sitting cross-legged, whether on a bed or the floor, can misalign your hips and knees. While it may seem comfortable, its effects will only be felt over time. Sitting like this regularly can lead to a strained lower back and knees that always hurt.
