All around your body, your joints allow both movement and stability. Healthy joints allow your bones to move smoothly in the right ways, and also prevent overextension or dislocation, so your body doesn’t move in the wrong way and suffer an injury.
If you’re living with a condition that affects your joints, such as arthritis, you may already be very aware of the importance of good joint care. Others may not think about this part of the body until an accident or injury causes joint pain or dysfunction.
But, no matter your baseline health, you can take steps to improve your joints’ condition, strength, and function. At the Center for Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine, located in Tomball, Kingwood, and Conroe, Texas, Dr. Michael Blackwell provides care to new and existing patients with joint concerns, specializing in both hand and wrist and foot and ankle joints.
In this blog, Dr. Blackwell goes over five great ways to better support your joints. Should you adopt some of these New Year’s Resolutions for joint health?
Your joints grow stronger when they’re used regularly. Physical activity and exercise put your body through its paces, helping you maintain your full range of motion. Moving your joints also releases synovial fluid, the natural lubricant that keeps them moving smoothly.
It’s important to seek regular physical activity. Guidelines recommend at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity per week for healthy adults. If you’re not sure what would be best for you, talk to Dr. Blackwell about your activity plans for 2026.
While staying active helps your joints, you may want to choose low-impact sports and types of physical activity. High-impact activities, such as running, jolt and shock your joints. If you need to protect your joints a little more, look into low-impact forms of physical activity like cycling, swimming, or yoga.
When it comes to strengthening your joints, strength training and weightlifting are key. Strength training improves your bone density and builds muscle strength, both of which help with joint problems.
Exercises incorporating resistance training or weightlifting ease joint pain and improve overall physical function. If there are particular joints in your body that you want to strengthen, you may be able to target them with exercises like lunges, squats, or push-ups.
Your activity plan for 2026 needs to include a weight management component if you’re concerned about joint problems. That’s because every extra unneeded pound of body weight you carry puts additional pressure on your joints, especially those in your lower body such as your hips, knees, and ankles.
In addition to strength training, make sure you’re getting the cardiovascular exercise you need to maintain a healthy body weight. If you’re overweight or obese, you could set healthy weight loss as one of your 2026 goals. The cartilage that cushions your joints also benefits from improved circulation, so it’s a win-win.
Eating a healthy diet is always a good idea. To promote joint health, try adding these foods, drinks, or supplements to your daily intake of lean protein, whole grains, and fresh fruits and vegetables:
With the right approach to your daily health, your joints can gain strength, stability, and restored flexibility this year. For personalized New Year’s Resolution recommendations, consult with Dr. Blackwell. Contact the Center for Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine online or over the phone today to schedule your appointment.
