Micha Abeles is a rheumatologist in Meriden, Connecticut. You ay think that running can damage your joints, but it's actually quite the opposite. Micha recommends regular exercise to keep your joints in good health with this slideshow.

1. YES, RUNNING IS ACTUALLY
GOOD FOR YOUR JOINTS
By Micha Abeles

2. According to a new scientific review
from the Journal of Orthopedic &
Sports Physical Therapy, researchers
discovered that moderate levels of
recreational running may support
healthy knee and hip joints, reports
an article from Time Magazine.

3. The researchers conducted a meta-analysis
that combined data from 17 previous
studies about recreational running and its
effects on hip or knee arthritis, otherwise
known as osteoarthritis (a.k.a., degenerative
joint disease, or “wear-and-tear” arthritis).
With a total of 114,829 people studied, the
researchers found that only 3.5 percent of
recreational runners developed
osteoarthritis during their period of study.
In addition, the researchers found that
those who were not recreational runners
had a 10.2 percent chance of developing
osteoarthritis. This means that people who
ran moderately had a lower chance of
developing osteoarthritis than people who
did not run at all.

4. In addition, a 2016 study conducted by Matt
Seeley, Ph.D, associate professor of
exercise science at Brigham Young
University, found that running for 30
minutes reduced inflammatory proteins
around the knee joint. He states that
“running at a recreational level can be
safely recommended as a general health
exercise, with the evidence suggesting that
it has benefits for hip and knee joint health.”

5. So, what does this mean for people
with, or are susceptible to,
osteoarthritis?

6. Since it affects an astonishing 27 million
Americans mostly in the knees and hips,
people with osteoarthritis, or people who
are susceptible to developing osteoarthritis,
should consider a moderate amount of
exercise to assist with prevention and pain
relief. However, since the knees and hips
support much of your weight, it’s important
to remember to exercise moderately and
with caution. See below for a few ideas
about how to stay safe while you’re running.

7. BE SELECTIVE OF
YOUR SURFACES
To be a cautious runner, think about the
surfaces you will be running on. You will
need a surface that’s shock absorbent, such
as grass in a local park, or the asphalt that
lines your neighborhood roads. You never
want to run on concrete, because it’s a very
harsh and unforgiving surface that may
cause more pain in your knees.

8. WEAR PROPER
FOOTWEAR
According to the Arthritis Foundation,
research shows that the best footwear for
minimizing osteoarthritis knee pain is a
flat-soled shoe. Read this article from
Healthline that will provide you with good
suggestions for walking and running shoes.

9. visit michaabelesmd.com