According to NHS Live Well, many adults in the UK spend an astonishing 9 hours a day sitting. A report published in the British Medical Journal revealed that ill health associated with sedentary behaviour reportedly costs the NHS at least £0.7bn per year and sedentary lifestyles can be attributed to around 70,000 deaths per year.
The global pandemic has further exacerbated a more sedentary lifestyle with an estimated 60% of the UK’s population working from home at the height of lockdown. One report revealed that many remote workers had found themselves experiencing more acute pain than they did before, with a whopping 27% an increase in joint pain.
Working with LQ Collagen, Celebrity Osteopath and founder of Osteo Allies, Anisha Joshi, who’s clients have included Sir Trevor Macdonald, Rita Ora, Nick Grimshaw, Oliver Proudlock and Professor Green, has seen the effects firsthand in her practice. She comments:
“There has been an increase with people having to suddenly adapt their lives to accommodate the pandemic. This includes working from home. The lack of movement on a daily basis and the inability to exercise as much has meant that patients are coming in complaining of more hip and knee pain from sitting for hours at a time.” Anisha goes on to say, “Different occupations cause different aches and pains within the joints. Manual workers often experience pain in their lower back and shoulders from having to lift heavy objects for hours a day. Desk workers experience pain in their hips, neck and arms from sitting for long periods of time.”
How can you manage joint pain?
Anisha comments, “I recommend that patients keep moving. Movement doesn’t have to be strenuous and can be as simple as hoovering the house or gardening. I also recommend they eat a balanced diet and take supplements to further assist their body.
You can also combine osteopathy and joint supplementation. Both work to help the body heal itself! Osteopaths help with movement and strength and the joint supplements help to reinforce that. Depending on the underlying cause of the joint pain, you can typically start seeing results within 2/3 sessions of osteopathy. Osteopathy should give you the tools to be able to manage your pain yourself but also can be good to seek preventative care if you’re suffering from age related joint pain.
If you are not getting enough protein in your diet then collagen supplements can help provide the protein building blocks your body needs in order to support the structures that make up a healthy joint. Marine Collagen is sourced from fish and therefore it is the preferred source of collagen for pescatarians. There are some studies that suggest collagen can ease joint pain in those with osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.”
LQ Collagen Joint Care Powder, £34.99, LQ Collagen Joint Care Max £27.99, www.LQcollagen.com, Boots or Holland and Barrett) provide a daily dose of hydrolysed joint care marine collagen, scientifically formulated to support your joints and bones. The cherry flavoured health supplement is available in liquid and powder form, with ingredients including Glucosamine, Chondroitin, Hyaluronic Acid, Ginger and Copper.
