{"id":427,"date":"2024-03-14T22:29:13","date_gmt":"2024-03-14T22:29:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.modernapothecary.org\/blog\/?p=427"},"modified":"2024-04-16T16:58:11","modified_gmt":"2024-04-16T21:58:11","slug":"optimizing-musculoskeletal-health-tips-and-insights","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.modernapothecary.org\/blog\/optimizing-musculoskeletal-health-tips-and-insights\/","title":{"rendered":"Optimizing Musculoskeletal Health: Tips and Insights"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\"muscle<\/p>\n

Creak. Cr<\/span>ackle. Pop. It\u2019s often said that nothing makes a person appear older quite like poor mobility and a lot of<\/span>\u00a0groaning when they do things like stand up.<\/span><\/p>\n

But are aches, and stiffness inevitable as we age? The answer is a resounding no – if you pay attention to your muscle health.<\/p>\n

What Is Musculoskeletal Health?<\/h2>\n

The musculoskeletal system is a broad term encompassing the things that help us move: our bones, muscles, joints, and the ligaments holding it all together.<\/p>\n

But with so many interconnected elements, a lot can go wrong.<\/p>\n

Poor musculoskeletal health leads to poor mobility and, often, pain, which is one of the leading reasons people seek medical care. By some estimates, one in five people suffer from pain, and the resulting loss of productivity costs the economy about $300 billion annually 1 <\/sup><\/p>\n

Studies also that patients with musculoskeletal pain are more likely to experience mood disruptions and trouble sleepng.3<\/sup><\/p>\n

Sarcopenia and musculoskeletal health<\/h3>\n

Incidents of musculoskeletal pain increase with age, with as many as 60% of older adults reporting pain.4<\/sup> Sarcopenia is one contributor. Sarcopenia is the loss of muscle mass and strength that naturally occurs as we get older. It’s a common condition that can affect anyone, but it’s particularly prevalent in older adults.<\/p>\n

Starting around the age of 30, we start to lose between 3 to 8% of our muscle mass every year.4 <\/sup>Sarcopenia can be a vicious cycle: the pain restricts our movement, which then accelerates our muscle loss. It\u2019s therefore important to identify the root cause of any pain and address it, instead of masking it and not moving at all.<\/p>\n

Tips To Support Your Muscle Health<\/h2>\n

1 – Regular exercise<\/h3>\n

\u201cMove it or lose it\u201d is a good aphorism for sarcopenia: underuse is one of the primary causes of muscle loss. 5 <\/sup><\/p>\n

A well-rounded exercise program will address all aspects of the musculoskeletal system.<\/p>\n