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PREVENTATIVE
MEDICINE

Helpful Tips on How to Prevent

Joint and Back Pain

By Gerardo Zavala II, MD, FAANS
I f you've been searching for helpful tips on how to prevent

or reduce joint and back pain, you have come to the right
place. We will be discussing some of the best tips to main-
tain health within the joints, neck, back and spine. While this
list is a great starting point, always consult your primary care
physician for further analysis of your unique condition to es-
tablish a good starting point on your journey towards health
and wellness.

Starting with the basics
The foundational aspects of health and wellness consist of
many factors. Below is a breakdown of some of the first steps
you can take to promote a healthier body.

Maintain movement
Maintaining movement is key to ensuring our joints, neck,
back and spine remain healthy and mobile. Without consis-
tent, steady movement throughout periods of the day, we will
possibly begin to develop muscle atrophy. Through atrophy of
the muscles, we will lose out on valuable core strength which
helps support our neck, back and spine. Additionally, having
leg strength developed through natural movement to support
our body weight as we walk, run and exercise is crucial to
maintaining safety while participating in various activities.

Build strength and stamina
Building strength and stamina across our entire body is
ideal, yet it’s still beneficial to start slowly with your strength
and stamina routine, then go from there. Without the proper
amount of strength and stamina, one may be prone to injuring
themselves while participating in everything from basic activ-
ities to intense sporting activities. Having the right amount of
strength and stamina may help prevent injuries from occurring
through core strength, balanced stability, quicker reaction
times and muscle memory.

Address ongoing problem areas through
physical therapy
Physical therapy is an amazing tool to help sort out problem
areas within the body’s muscles, neck, back, spine and joints.
One of the steps to take if you know you are suffering from

12 SAN ANTONIO MEDICINE • June 2022