
Exercising may be either a way of life or an actual need. In any case, however, it is important to know that bad habits are your joints’ worst enemy: an unbalanced diet, bad posture and repetitive movements – or even traumatic ones, as in the case of workmen and sportsmen – can limit freedom of movement.
It is important to consider three crucial elements that can help regain your natural ability to move.

Exercising to increase muscle mobility and strength
Regular exercise plays an important role in preventing and managing osteoarthritis.
There are two types of mobility exercises: joint mobilization and muscle strengthening. In both cases, the success of post-treatment rehabilitation depends on the individual’s constitutional and psychological characteristics.
If done properly during silent phases of the disease, exercising increases the elasticity of the musculoskeletal system, improves blood circulation and controls body weight. Exercises should be performed properly, or they could do more harm than good.
In osteoarthritis, kinesiotherapy relieves arthritic joints, treats muscle contractures, and trains muscles through appropriate isometric exercises. Postural, static and dynamic exercises are also helpful.
In osteoarthritic patients, hydro-kinesiotherapy is a useful rehabilitation treatment, carried out in heated water, that exploits the water’s floating principle and temperature effect to ease pressure and relax the joints. This type of therapy is perfomed in dedicated spa facilities.
During the non-inflammatory phase, and provided there are no contra-indications (e.g. cardiovascular conditions, infectious diseases, etc.), mud therapy reduces pain, relaxes muscle tension and eases joint stiffness.
Physical therapy also benefits from the use of iontophoresis, ultrasound, heat therapy and TENS.
Medical tips
Here are some easy home exercises for taking care of your knee, hip and shoulder joints.
Knee
Hip
Shoulder
The importance of dieting for healthy joints
Your diet can affect your joints. While various molecular mechanisms, influenced by food, could damage the joint tissues, there are also many food substances that can benefit the joints: among them, phytonutrients such as flavonoids, polyphenols and bioflavonoids found in significant amounts in fruits (pomegranate), tea, spices (ginger and turmeric), wine and vegetables. These foods have been shown to have anti-inflammatory and anti-catabolic properties, as well as protecting against oxidative stress.
Omega 3 fatty acids also seem to reduce joint inflammation and improve clinical symptoms in patients with rheumatic diseases. These substances can be found in fish, fish oil, flaxseed and walnuts.
In general, it is important to follow a healthy and varied diet.