Joint Pain
Most of us have chosen South Georgian Bay as our home for the active lifestyle. Whether you prefer a smooth town trail, an undulating track on the Escarpment, first tracks down a hill, being on the ice, a fairway, or in a boat, we all want to enjoy what this region has to offer. So, being limited by joint pains can really thwart our plans, and ultimately impact our quality of life.
While there are great natural products that can help ease joint pains, the ultimate goal is to discover what is creating or worsening the pain and inflammation. The top 3 contributing causes I routinely see are; structural issues; foods (yes, foods!); and hydration.
Structural: Interestingly, sometimes where we feel the pain is not the location of the problem—or at least not the only location. I have seen people who have been told their joint pain is due to arthritis in the joint(s), but when assessed by a physical medicine practitioner a contributing issue is found higher up in the limb (e.g. knee pain may be due to, or worsened by, an issue in the lower back or gluteal muscles). Consider consulting with an osteopath (DO), chiropractor (DC), kinesiologist (R.Kin), physiotherapist (PT), or massage therapist (RMT) for a physical assessment. Another hands-on therapy to explore is acupuncture, especially when provided by a practitioner trained in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).
Foods: There are general foods that for many people worsen pain & inflammation, and then there are ones that are more specific to each person. In general, gluten and refined sugars are the most common culprits—I hear this reported back to me time and again (even from those people reluctant to cut them out in the first place!). Also, nightshade vegetables might actually worsen the pain in some people. Beyond these, to learn which foods are specifically creating inflammation in your body there is a Food Sensitivity test (IgG) you can do - I suggest discussing it with your Naturopathic Doctor (ND).
To support joint health, begin to include foods that have anti-inflammatory properties such as ginger and turmeric, and consider following the Mediterranean Diet in general.
Hydration: One of the many roles of water in our body is to support the joint, which is a fluid-filled capsule. Consuming at least half your body weight (lb) in ounces (oz) of water and herbal teas is essential for healthy joint function.
Eg. a 160 lb person should aim for 80 oz (10 cups) daily.
Supplements to consider include*: high EPA fish oil, curcumin, boswellia, glucosamine, MSM, systemic enzymes, and medical cannabis (oral & topical). An added benefit of natural supplements is they do not have the known adverse impact on the digestive tract that is associated with NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), such as ibuprofen.
Your ND can help by ordering blood tests such as the Inflammation Panel (21 items), Autoimmune Panel (5 items), or IgG Food Sensitivities (120-220 items), recommending appropriate supplements, and sending a referral to a medical cannabis clinic to discuss pain management. There may be other potential causes & treatments to explore and discuss (including staying active). Your ND will then be able to formulate an informed plan to meet your needs.
Be proactive about your joint health, and I will see you on the trails!
*These are general suggestions and should not be interpreted as medical advice. Discuss this with your qualified healthcare practitioner, especially if you are pregnant, taking medications or dealing with a chronic disease.
