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Lifestyle changes

Regular exercise and a healthy lifestyle are the first steps for managing osteoarthritic disease.

Exercise

Exercise is very important for you to avoid losing muscle mass around your joints. Thus, physical activity can help you maintain or even develop your muscles and thus relieve your joints.

So doing certain movements can relieve your pain and also, in some cases, limit the progression of joint damage. However, you should consult your doctor to determine the type of exercises you need to do. Indeed, some movements are more beneficial than others.
For your information, here are some exercises that are often recommended. But please remember that it is best to seek the advice of your doctor before starting.

  • Range of motion exercises can help relieve stiffness and maintain joint mobility. A range of motion exercise for your shoulder is to make a large circle with your arm.
  • Strengthening exercises to maintain or increase muscle strength.
  • Endurance exercises for a healthy heart and better weight control. Walking, swimming and cycling, among others, fall into this category.

Weight loss

mesures hygiéno-dietetiques

If you suffer from a joint like the hip or knee, dieting can be beneficial to reduce the weight carried by your joints.
Dieting should not be too fast and too restrictive, since the lost kilos tend to return just as quickly.

The best solution is therefore to permanently change your eating habits in order to target your normal weight and, especially, to stabilise it.
Before making such a decision do not hesitate to talk to your doctor about it. He or she can then advise you on the type of diet to set up and monitor your progress.

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