ACHING KNEES? DON’T BLAME YOUR AGE
It’s so common it’s almost a trope. Your middle-aged friend stands up, winces as pain shoots through their knees, and then admits to the room “I’m getting old.” If you’ve ever been the one to give this excuse for knee pain, we’ve got news for you. Aging might not be the culprit. MORE THAN ‘WEAR AND TEAR’ In the past, people believed joint pain was just a natural consequence of getting older. These flexible junctions in our body just begin to wear out with time, right? Well, thanks to modern medicine, we know that this isn’t exactly accurate. The painful sensation you feel is likely caused by a disease that afflicts the whole joint — osteoarthritis. UNDERSTANDING OSTEOARTHRITIS Osteoarthritis, or OA, is characterized by a steady degrading of the cartilage in and around the afflicted joint. Without this flexible tissue, inflammation quickly sparks between our bones, making it painful to move. This joint disease is common in middle-aged
and elderly people. In fact, it is one of the top causes of disability among senior citizens, with 46% of the population developing OA in their knees during their lifetime. Other joints, such as the hips and spine, can also be effected. TREATMENT Unfortunately, a cure for osteoarthritis has not been discovered yet, so clinicians focus on prevention and mitigation. For those who have not developed OA in their knees yet, maintaining a healthy weight is the best thing you can do. This keeps the pressure of excess weight from contributing to the breakdown of cartilage in your joints. If you are already experiencing OA, getting and staying active is one of the best ways to reduce pain and keep symptoms from becoming debilitating. The temptation to be inactive due to OA only leads to weaker muscles and even more difficulty moving. A physical therapy professional, like our expert clinicians at M3 PT, can help you ease back into an active lifestyle without excessive pain. You don’t have to surrender your mobility to “old age.” Give us a call today, and take your first step toward relief.
VEGAN GREEN SMOOTHIE
TAKE A BREAK
INGREDIENTS
• 1 cup coconut water • 1/2 cup mango juice • 2 large Granny Smith apples, cored and chopped • 2 cups romaine lettuce, packed • 2/3 cup parsley leaves, packed • 1/3 cup fresh cilantro, packed • 1/2 cup frozen mango chunks • 1/4 cup avocado • 4 tsp fresh lemon juice
• 1 tbsp turmeric • 5 large ice cubes
DIRECTIONS
1. In a blender, combine all ingredients, beginning with coconut water and mango juice. 2. Blend on high until smooth. 3. Pour into glass and serve. Any leftovers will keep for up to 24 hours in the fridge.
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