When it comes to surgeries that have to be done due to an injury, hip replacement tends to be one of the more common ones, especially for seniors. In order to prevent the risk of surgery, the effort a person has to put into prevention is quite small. Sometimes certain habits that we are going to talk about can save you from a big injury that could lead to surgery.
If you are already experiencing problems with your hips and knees, or you’ve sustained an injury, it is important that you consult your doctor immediately. You could check out Mid North Coast Hip & Knee Clinic, or you can search for a local doctor instead.
It is important that you take proper care of your joints!
Maintain a healthy weight
One of the most important things to remember is that a healthy weight goes a long way, and not just for your hips and knees. Overweight people will put a lot of strain on their joints, and that alone can cause a lot of injuries. The hip joints will sustain forces that are almost 6x your bodyweight.
In simple words, the amount of weight that you put on will directly affect the pain that you are experiencing. Thus, shedding a few pounds could potentially offer a lot of relief. Consider having a balanced diet and regular exercise!
Practice proper posture
The benefits a good posture can have for your body are often overlooked. By developing a good standing and sitting habit, you can easily reduce the strain and stress on the ligaments and muscles, which can negatively affect your joints.
You should try practicing proper posture by sitting with your legs uncrossed with feet on the floor. Your back needs to be straight, with shoulders back, and your buttocks should touch the back of the seat. When you are standing, you should keep your shoulders wide apart and avoid leaning to one or the other side. Try to keep your weight on the balls of your feet.
Wear comfortable shoes
Did you know that comfortable shoes can help a lot, as well? Wearing comfortable and supportive shoes that actually fit your foot can easily protect your hips and knees from injuries. It is important that you search for shoes that have proper cushioning designed to reduce impact and absorb shock on your joints.
Use cushions while you sleep
While you cannot fully control the position you sleep in, starting off in the right position can be a tremendous help. The way you sleep can often be one of the main causes of stress son your joints. There are certain sleeping positions that could easily provide relief to your hips.
In case you are a side sleeper, you should try to sleep on your back. This can help maintain a healthy hip position! If you cannot fall asleep on your back, try to put pillows between your knees when you sleep sideways, as that will reduce the stress on your hips. You should also try to use a body wedge under the hips, which adds additional support.
Warm-up before exercise
Jumping right into exercise can also cause a lot of stress on the muscles and joints. Before any kind of exercise, it is important that you stretch and warm up properly. Hip injuries often occur when people do not take time to warm up their body before they exercise. You should also incorporate a cool-down routine after the exercise.
Use resistance training during your workouts
There are many great exercise routines you could follow that are designed to help your muscles and joints feel relief. Cardiovascular training is important, but did you know that adding resistance training into your routine can help strengthen the muscles of your legs and hips?
If you do not know much about exercising and which regime to follow, you can always consult your doctor. Having an honest conversation with your doctor will allow him/her to come up with a proper treatment plan that will help with your hip and knee joints.
With that said, it is important that you visit your doctor if you feel any persistent pain in your joints or if you have suffered an injury. Sometimes surgeries can be invasive, and you might require hip replacement surgery in Coffs Harbour or in a local clinic. Thus, it is very important that you talk to your doctor as soon as you feel like there might be something wrong!
Final word
While it is highly unlikely that you will be able to do the same types of exercises in your 20s and 60s, it is still important that you stay active. You do not have to be as invasive as you once were, as just a couple of daily exercises can go a long way. But, keep in mind that if the exercises are making your case worse or you are not feeling any relief, you should visit your doctor!
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