29/10/2024
Yesterday we learnt why we may get joint pain during the "Menopausal period" but, there are things we can do to help reduce it.
Stay well hydrated!! Our joints are full of cartilage and synovial fluid that contain up to 80% water. So its recommend to drink 1.5-2 litres per day.
Up the exercise. I know that is a swear word to many but, movement helps with lubrication of the joints reducing stiffness and pain. It also helps with increasing the thickness of cartilage.
Anti-inflammatory diets, yes another swear word! But you don't need to cut out the wine and chocolate just yet.
Foods like fatty fish, leafy greens, nuts and certain fruits are rich in vitamins, minerals, omega-3 fats, antioxidants, and other beneficial compounds. Inflammation in the joints can lead to significantly more pain for some.
Joint pain assessment to rule out pathology. It's often easy to blame menopause or age for pain that could be resolved.
Massage and manual therapy with mobilisation of stiff and restricted joints can reduce surrounding muscle tension to ease the pain.
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) replace the hormones estrogen and progesterone to reduce the symptoms experienced during menopause . This will need a GP's prescription.
It is recommended that a mixture of all these measures have the greatest chance to reduce joint pain. It is also important to note that each person will vary and what works for one may not work for another. It is advised to seek medical advice if you are struggling with any "menopausal" symptom.
Next, why does menopause cause muscle pain?
