How to Decrease Joint Pain from Thyroid Disease | Wellness Clinic

Could there be a connection between thyroid disease and your joint pain? Yes, but, fortunately, a variety of treatment therapies and remedies may help ease the pain, improving your overall health and wellness.

Why does thyroid disease lead to joint pain?

Your thyroid gland secretes hormones that regulate metabolism, the body’s way of converting the food you consume into energy. People with hypothyroidism have an underactive thyroid, which means not one of those metabolism-controlling hormones is properly produced. “Any disturbance in the way that you burn energy may impact how your muscles feel,” says R. Mack Harrell, MD, president-elect of the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists and an endocrinologist at Memorial Regional Hospital in Hollywood, Fla.. Individuals with complex hypothyroidism may find that fluid builds in joints that causes swelling which contributes to pain because their metabolism slows down.

These measures may help you reduce that pain that’s keeping you down.

Explore Other Sources of Joint Pain

Hypothyroidism most commonly happens when your immune system mistakes your thyroid for an enemy, which interferes with its ability to make the appropriate amount of thyroid hormone. In the same way, rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is another disorder that causes your immune system to go off-track, your body strikes your joints and connective tissues, and it can be very debilitating. You are more prone to the other if you’ve got any of these autoimmune disorders, although doctors aren’t certain why. It can be difficult to tell if one or both are causing your joint pain. “We can mend hypothyroidism with the proper dose of hormone,” Dr. Harrell says. “And therapies are offered for RA. Either way, finding a proper cure for your pain and the origin is the first step to feeling better.”

Measure Up to Low-Impact Aerobics

Twenty to 60 minutes of near-daily weightlifting, really any exercise that gets your heart pumping, will help speed up your metabolism and counter weight gain, a frequent hypothyroidism symptom and also a contributor to joint pain. But if you’ve got joint or knee pain, choose aerobics to prevent further joint pain. A stationary bike at the gym is easier on the knees. Swimming is the excellent exercise, the water buoys your body and cushions joints.

Strengthen your Muscles

Power or weight-training exercises build muscle mass, which uses more calories than fat even at rest. This can ease the strain and promotes weight loss. Stronger muscles also help safeguard joints. For instance, the muscles which support the knees are developed by strengthening exercises like lunges, squats, and leg lifts. Start slow with 15 repetitions of each exercise, says Igor Klibanov, a personal coach in Toronto, creator of Fitness Solutions Plus, and writer of “Unlimited Progress: The Way To Unlock Your Body’s Potential.” Build around 3 sets of 15 reps each.

Get Plenty of Sleep

“Sleep is the time for muscles and joints to recuperate,” Klibanov states. “If you’re not sleeping well, you’re not recovering as quickly as you may be.” When you’re sleep deprived, what’s more, you are very likely to crave crap and relaxation foods that can promote weight reduction, which adds stress to your joints and increases joint pain. Aim for seven to eight hours of quality sleep each evening.

Stick to a Nutritious Diet

Change the crap food which can cause weight gain with choices that improve your health. For instance, add fatty fish to your diet. It is a fantastic supply of omega-3 fatty acids, known to decrease inflammation. Fatty fish such as mackerel, salmon, and tuna have the highest amounts of omega-3’s. Also be sure to have lots of fresh fruit and vegetables high in antioxidants, which may counter inflammation.

Practice Yoga

Yoga poses are an excellent way to provide relief to joint pain whilst also increasing flexibility. For shoulder pain, look for poses that open your chest, such as this pose. Stretch your arms over your head, as you inhale. Clasp your hands together and then turn up your palms toward the ceiling. Drop your shoulders and straighten up as if pushing through your head. Hold for 30 minutes. Release your hands, bringing them down behind you. Clasp your hands behind your back and lift your arms. Hold for another 30 seconds.

Do Not Let Fatigue Win

Fatigue is among the most common hypothyroidism symptoms. You are going to benefit from exercise because it is going to increase your metabolism and help you keep flexibility despite joint and muscle pain, even though you might feel listless. If you’re too exhausted to complete a exercise routine, break it up into several bouts, even 10 minutes will help. Also, relaxation and stretching exercises within 2 hours of bedtime may help you sleep better, Klibanov says.

Meditate for Stress Relief

With a chronic condition like hypothyroidism, everyday can be stressful, and that anxiety can actually promote pain and tension. That’s why it’s important to find ways to decrease anxiety, like the practice of meditation. This kind of meditation teaches you you can distract yourself from what’s bothering you by refocusing your attention, often on your breathing. A little study in the “Journal of Neuroscience” in April 2011 discovered that mindful meditation can reduce your sensitivity to pain.

The scope of our information is limited to chiropractic and spinal injuries and conditions. To discuss options on the subject matter, please feel free to ask Dr. Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900 . 

By Dr. Alex Jimenez

Additional Topics: Wellness

Overall health and wellness are essential towards maintaining the proper mental and physical balance in the body. From eating a balanced nutrition as well as exercising and participating in physical activities, to sleeping a healthy amount of time on a regular basis, following the best health and wellness tips can ultimately help maintain overall well-being. Eating plenty of fruits and vegetables can go a long way towards helping people become healthy.

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