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How Yoga and Vitamin D Can Make a Big Difference in Arthritis

Yoga, Vitamin D, Arthritis

Last updated on February 18th, 2023 at 06:34 pm

Vitamin D deficiency is common nowadays. Many people don’t even realize they are deficient until their doctor tells them. If you suspect you might be vitamin D deficient, check out these signs and symptoms.
The human body requires vitamin D to absorb calcium from food and build strong bones. In addition, vitamin D helps regulate blood pressure, insulin levels, immune system function, mood, sleep patterns, and more.

Vitamin D deficiency has become a growing problem over the years due to increased time spent indoors and lack of exposure to sunlight. This means that our bodies aren’t absorbing enough vitamin D through sun exposure or supplements.

New research has found that vitamin D may play a significant role in joint health and that low levels may increase the risk of rheumatologic conditions such as arthritis. Several studies have found low blood levels of vitamin D (vitamin d deficiency) in patients with osteoarthritis of the hip, knee, and arthritis of the neck.

What is Vitamin D

Vitamin D is an important factor for overall health, particularly strong and healthy bones. It is also a vital player in ensuring that a number of important organs such as muscles, heart, lungs, and brain work well and the immune system is fit to fight against infections.

The body can make its own vitamin D from sunlight. However, adequate vitamin D can also be obtained from supplements and a small amount comes from a few foods. Vitamin D has to be changed by the body a number of times before it can be used.

Symptoms of vitamin D deficiency

Vitamin D deficiency may manifest in a variety of ways, including fatigue, back pain, hair loss,  and symptoms of depression.

Vitamin D Deficiency And Rheumatoid Arthritis

The body needs vitamin D to absorb calcium, which is essential for building strong bones. Too little of this vital nutrient can lead to having thin, soft, and brittle bones, known as osteomalacia in adults and rickets in children.

Studies also have found that a lack of Vitamin D is linked to rheumatoid arthritis, an autoimmune disease characterized by swollen, aching joints, and numbness and tingling in the hands,  arthritis in big toe, and feet.

vitamin-d-the-link-to-thyroid-and-arthritis

Vitamin D and Thyroid

People with hypothyroidism who took extra vitamin D supplements for 12 weeks had improvements in blood levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone. Research has suggested a possible link between vitamin D deficiency and autoimmune thyroid disorders, the most common cause of hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid).

What is Arthritis?

There are two main types of Arthritis and is Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis. Osteoarthritis is the most common type of this disease, it can cause damage to joint cartilage. With enough damage to the cartilage, the bone begins to grind on bone and can cause severe pain and discomfort. For this case, medical treatments include physical therapy and proper medications to ease discomfort; but neither of these things can work miracles.

Rheumatoid Arthritis is similar in the fact that the treatment is relatively the same with different medications being the only real difference. With Rheumatoid Arthritis, the immune system attacks the membrane that encloses the joints. This can destroy cartilage and bone within any joint affected and like Osteoarthritis, it is not curable.

How to Manage Arthritis

Arthritis is one of the most common diseases in the United States with nearly 3 million cases per year. This disease causes inflammation in (usually) multiple joints, creating chronic pain and stiffness that can worsen with age. Arthritis cannot be cured but it can be treated thoroughly, ensuring that minimal pain and damage is done to our bodies.

Arthritis Treatment

Besides the usual physical therapy and medication treatment, the only other way to properly manage this disease is by creating an adaptive lifestyle. This could mean using different, adaptive utensils or it could mean using specialty wraps and braces. 

Arthritis is commonly found in the elbow and often a simple compression wrap doesn’t do anything for the discomfort, but the Push med Elbow Brace can take its place. It’s designed to prevent overstretching and painful use of the joint, providing an easy-to-use design that includes a zipper for taking the brace off.

Other common areas that Arthritis affects are the ankles and wrists, but just like the elbow brace, there are braces for these areas as well. The Push med Aquei Ankle Brace provides strong support for improved stability and does not impair walking ability, it can be found in three sizes for an accurate and comfortable fit.

For the wrists, the Push med Wrist Brace is a unique immobilizer, providing people with arthritis wrist pain a comfortable solution. This wrist support is easy to put on and remove with one hand, so there’s no hassle like other braces or wraps.

This wrist brace is designed to fit the contours of the wrist and hand, avoiding pressure to sensitive areas. The elastic band allows the wearer to adjust the support and this can be found in four sizes, with options for the left or right hand upon purchase.


Neck Exercises for Arthritis

With age, arthritis can cause the joints in our knees, hands, wrists, and feet to become stiff and sore.

After age 60, more than 85 percent of people have arthritis in their neck ( Arthritis neck), according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS)

You can also try basic exercises at home. Though you might be tempted to keep your neck still when it hurts, staying immobile will only increase the stiffness. It will also cause you to lose even more movement. Stretching and strengthening exercises will help keep your neck limber and reduce your arthritis pain.

Arthritis neck

Exercises for arthritis in the neck

Link Between Vitamin D Deficiency, Rheumatoid Arthritis And Thyroid

Arthritis is a lifelong battle that’s mostly spent going uphill, but sometimes we can get ahead of it by doing the right therapies and providing the right treatments. Stay ahead of Arthritis by taking preventive measures and by using proper techniques to treat joint pain.

Much more research needs to be done before specific guidelines for using vitamin D to prevent or treat thyroid disease are established by the medical community. However, given the growing understanding of how important vitamin D is to overall health, it’s worth making sure you’re getting enough of it. You might even want to talk to your doctor about testing you for a deficiency, especially if you have a thyroid condition or are at risk for one.


Yoga with Arthritis

Yoga can be a helpful form of exercise for people with arthritis, as it is low-impact and can help improve flexibility and range of motion. Some yoga poses may need to be modified or avoided, depending on the person’s specific condition and needs. It’s important to work with a qualified yoga instructor who can help tailor the practice to your individual needs and abilities. Additionally, it’s always a good idea to check with your doctor before beginning any new exercise program, including yoga.

Yoga with Arthritis of the spine and Arthritis in neck

Yoga can be a helpful practice for individuals with arthritis of the spine and neck, as it can help to increase flexibility and reduce tension in the area. Some specific yoga poses that may be helpful for arthritis in the neck include:

  1. Cat-Cow stretch: This gentle stretch helps to loosen the neck and relieve tension. Start on your hands and knees, with your hands shoulder-width apart and your knees hip-width apart. As you inhale, arch your back and lift your head up to the ceiling (Cow). As you exhale, round your spine and tuck your chin to your chest (Cat).

  2. Neck rolls: Slowly and gently roll your head in a circle, moving from the right shoulder to the chest, to the left shoulder, and back up to the right shoulder. Repeat in the opposite direction.

  3. Sphinx pose: Lie on your stomach with your elbows under your shoulders and your forearms on the ground. Slowly lift your head and chest up, keeping your neck long.

Disclaimer: This blog post contains affiliate links, which means that I receive a commission from any purchase through these links. Receiving a commission will not affect your purchase in any form.

Sources & Credits:

https://www.btf-thyroid.org/vitamin-d-and-thyroid-disease

https://www.verywellhealth.com/why-is-vitamin-d-so-important-to-thyroid-patients-3232755

https://www.healthline.com/health/osteoarthritis/neck-exercises

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2 thoughts on “How Yoga and Vitamin D Can Make a Big Difference in Arthritis”

  1. Yoga has become my secret weapon against arthritis pain. I feel stronger, more flexible, and empowered to take control of my health

  2. After reading your article, I think the idea is very good and the creative techniques are also very innovative. However, I have some different opinions, and I will continue to follow your reply.

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