How Shedding Extra Pounds Can Protect Your Joints and Ease Arthritis Pain

When it comes to joint health and easing arthritis pain, weight matters. Joints are strong, but they aren’t designed to carry excess weight. The pounds from being overweight or obese place a significant amount of pressure on the joints, making those pounds a major factor in joint pain. 

Comprehensive Arthritis Care is your go-to provider for exceptional joint care. Located in Hendersonville, Tennessee, the Comprehensive Joint Care team offers a range of therapies to manage arthritic conditions, including IV infusion therapy, and nutritional supplements.

Along with these therapies, lifestyle changes, such as weight loss, serve as a comprehensive approach to combating arthritis symptoms.

If you’re dealing with swollen, achy, stiff joints, shedding those extra pounds is one of the best things you can do to get relief. Even a small amount of weight loss can lead to big improvements in joint pain, mobility, and quality of life.

Why excess weight matters

The connection between weight and arthritis is well-documented.  Your joints are designed to bear your body’s weight, but excess pounds increase the load they have to carry. In fact, being just 10 pounds overweight increases force on the joints by up to 60 pounds.

Over time, the extra weight accelerates the wear-and-tear on cartilage, the cushioning tissue that helps your joints move smoothly. As cartilage breaks down, inflammation and pain increase, worsening arthritis symptoms.

Every pound of extra body weight adds about four pounds of pressure to your knee joints when walking or climbing stairs. Fortunately, clinical data show that weight loss alleviates the pressure, with each pound lost resulting in a four-pound pressure reduction on the joints. 

Weight loss reduces inflammation

It may surprise you to know that fat tissue behaves more like an organ, in that it’s metabolically active and produces inflammatory chemicals called cytokines. These chemicals contribute to chronic low-grade inflammation, which plays a major role in worsening arthritis symptoms. 

Losing excess weight can lower inflammation and reduce pain and stiffness in the joints, according to research published in the journal Nature Reviews Rheumatology.

When you shed pounds, you’re not just lightening the load on your joints, you’re also creating a healthier environment for your joints. Lower inflammation means less joint damage over time and greater comfort during everyday activities.

Improved mobility through weight loss

Arthritis often limits your ability to move freely, but carrying extra weight can make it even harder; that’s why losing weight should be a top priority. Shedding extra pounds improves mobility and makes it easier to stay active. Regular movement strengthens the muscles around your joints, providing better support and stability.

Individuals with knee osteoarthritis who lose weight and engage in moderate exercise experience significant improvements in pain and mobility compared to those who didn’t, and research supports this. 

How to get started

If you’re ready to lose weight and protect your joints, small changes can make a big difference. Ditch the packaged and processed foods and start filling up on whole foods, like fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains. Pair this with low-impact exercises like swimming, cycling, or yoga to improve your strength and flexibility without overloading your joints.

Combating joint pain naturally

You don’t have to resign yourself to a life with arthritis pain. Your joints deserve the best care, and losing extra weight can go a long way toward protecting them.

If you’re struggling with arthritis pain, our team can provide expert advice and a personalized arthritis management plan. Give us a call today to schedule an appointment, and start on the path to better joint health and less joint pain.