Osteoarthritis has long been viewed as inevitable, progressive joint damage resulting from just wear and tear or aging. This outdated view paints a bleak picture of OA as a condition beyond one’s control, leaving many to accept pain, limitation, and progressive joint damage as a inevitable.

We now know it doesn’t have to be this way. Recent scientific research has changed our understanding of OA. It is not just a simple matter of cartilage mechanically wearing down but a complex process where our cartilage cells break down the joint tissues they are meant to maintain. Like all the cells in our body, these cartilage cells are heavily influenced by chemical messengers that send signals to these cells to either maintain, build up, or break down cartilage.

The good news is that we can largely control what messages are sent to our cartilage cells by adjusting certain lifestyle factors. By understanding how our daily behaviors affect our joint health and making modifications where needed, we can not only improve the structure of our joints but also significantly affect the level of pain experienced. Targeted lifestyle changes can lead to noticeable reductions in pain and improvements in joint function, allowing you to stay active and keep doing the things you love.