It’s easy to not really think much about your joints until there’s an issue, and there are a lot of misconceptions that our joints don’t become an issue until we’re much later in life. This, however, could not be further from the truth! Sure, we don’t typically get achy until a little later, but that doesn’t mean we don’t need to protect our hardworking joints. And luckily for you, we here at Copper Compression are experts at joint protection!
There are so many ways to keep your joints in shape - exercises, stretches, and of course, recovery sleeves! 

We’re going to get into all that, as well as the best ways to make sure your joints get (and stay) pain-free: 

How Do You Know if You Have Joint Issues?

Sure, it may be obvious to some if you have joint issues - our joints are usually pretty good about telling us. However, some of us may have had joint issues for so long that we don’t even know that we’re struggling.
Here’s a list of signals that your joints may be in need of some help:

You have to rest after climbing the stairs: Stairs are a huge pain, and it’s totally normal to be a little winded after climbing a couple of flights. However, if you’re finding that your knees are struggling to keep up or are feeling achy after a flight or two, you may be suffering from joint issues.

It’s hard to carry items over 10 lbs: We’re not all deadlifters, and lifting can be hard! However, our hands should have a base average level of strength, and if you’re having a hard time lifting moderately heavy objects, it may be time to start some joint exercises!

Bending down has become a chore: Ah, the bend. The older we get, the harder it is. But, if you’re having a hard time bending at the hips or knees to pick up something you’ve dropped, you may be in need of some extra joint care.

It's hard to grasp small things: Our finger joints are often overlooked, underappreciated, and the first to feel the aches and pains of age. Even if you don’t suffer from Arthritis, stay on the lookout for irritation or discomfort when trying to pick up small or heavy objects.

Which Joints Are Most Susceptible to Injury?

A great question! The reality is that all of our joints are pretty susceptible to injury if not treated properly. We’ll let you guess, though - which joints do you think are even more susceptible than others?
If you guessed shoulder, elbow, and knee, YOU’RE RIGHT! These joints are in constant use and as you may guess, get pretty busted pretty quick. Our finger joints are also pretty susceptible, but they’re a little less prone to injury unless we jam them in a door or break our fingers.

How to Strengthen Joints and Maintain Joint Health

Luckily for us, the internet exists and is here to give us the lowdown on how to protect and polish our joints. From light exercise to stretching to compression, here are the best tips to keep your joints on your A-game:

Keep Your Joints Lubricated

Alright, what does this even mean? Up until this article was written, even we weren’t super sure. We’ve done a lot of research though, and here is the general conclusion:
According to Baptist Health, all you have to do get the flow going!
“Your joints’ lubricating fluid allows your joints to move with more ease and less stress. To activate those juices, start your exercise routine with a gentle 5-10 minute warm-up and gradually increase your effort.”
There you have it - stay active, stay lubricated. Bam!

Stay Hydrated

Believe it or not, water reaches beyond our stomach when we drink it. Staying hydrated is a great way to increase liquid flow in our joints, making movement way easier. Is there anything water can’t do? We’re not sure.

Eat Right

Guess what? Eating gross food isn’t just bad for our skin, stomach, and gut health - it’s bad for our joints, too. We know, it’s a bummer, but this might be a good opportunity to change your diet a bit. Maintaining a healthy weight and giving your joints the nutrients they need is a surefire way to keep them working at their best for years to come.

Quit Smoking (or Don’t Start!)

Smoking has fallen a bit out of fashion these days, but that doesn’t mean it’s not a prevalent issue. We highly recommend cutting smoking out of your life - there are so many things smoking harms in your body that it’s honestly easier to list what smoking doesn’t damage. Joints are no exception, and developing a smoking habit will do nothing but expediate your joint deterioration.

Get Regular Exercise

Don’t be intimidated! This doesn’t mean picking up any HIIT workouts or even joining a gym (though that couldn’t hurt) - this mostly means just adding a few easy joint exercises into your daily routine to get the liquids flowing.

Easy Joint Exercises

Warm-Ups

This step is crucial! The best way to keep our joints lubricated is to make sure they’re nice and warmed up before exercise. Try doing some side bends, overhead stretches, arm circles, shoulder shrugs, and toe touches before you get started. 

Leg Lifts

Step 1: Lie down with your back flat. 

Step 2: Keep one leg straight, bend the other leg slightly at the knee, bringing your foot closer to your butt. 

Step 3: Pull your ab muscles inward, and lift your straight leg up slowly. Keep your toes pointed forward and continue lifting until your leg is roughly 1 foot off the floor.

Step 4: Hold for 5 seconds. 

Step 5: Lower the leg back down on the floor. Repeat with other leg. Complete 3 rounds. 

Hamstring Curls

Step 1: Stand straight, knees about 1-2 inches apart. 

Step 2: Slowly bend one knee behind your body, curling the leg back until the knee bend reaches a 90 degree angle. 

Step 3: Hold for 5 seconds. 

Step 4: Slowly lower back down. Repeat on other leg. Complete 3 rounds. 

Elbow Bend

Step 1: Stand up straight, lower one arm to your side. 

Step 2: Slowly bend your arm upward so your hand is touching your shoulder. 

Step 3: Hold for 10-15 seconds, then lower. Repeat on both arms 10 times. 

Shoulder Squeeze

Step 1: Face the wall with your arms at a 90 degree angle in front of you, palms up. 

Step 2: Keep your shoulder blades back. Gently squeeze together your should muscles. 

Step 3: Slowly raise your ams upwards, maintaining the straightness. 

Step 4: Lower your arms and repeat 10 times.

The Best Gear to Protect Your Joints While Exercising

Believe it or not, there are even more ways to keep your joints protected and at their prime. To give your joints even more care, we recommend some recovery sleeves for pre-, during, and post-workout support. Here are the best compression products for keeping your joints safe during activity:

Elbow: The Recovery Elbow Sleeve

The perfect companion for any activity, whether it’s lifting weights or lifting the groceries. This copper-infused sleeve reinforces your elbow joints, stabilizes the tendons, and is snug-yet-satisfyingly comfortable! An extra layer of protection for a pretty important area.

Finger Joints: Full-Finger Gloves

No need to worry about not being able to use your phone while you protect your hands! This glove set comes with SmartTouch technology that allows you to use your phone with ease. It has a snug, pleasant feel, and is great for your wrists and finger joints for added protection.

Knees: The Recovery Knee Sleeve

One of the more popular products (and for good reason), our recovery knee sleeve helps you perform at your absolute best! Keep your knee safe from sudden jolts, bumps, and strains with copper-infused, stabilizing protection. Plus, the compression promotes blood flow for active recovery.

Shoulder: The PowerKnit Shoulder Sleeve

The ultimate brace to take recovery into your own hands. This brace controls rotation, supports the shoulder joint, and prevents re-injury during activity. It also includes an adjustable strap to find comfort where you need it most! 

Final Thoughts

Joint pain can happen to even the healthiest of us, but there’s no need to be scared of it. We hoped this has helped you get your pain a little more under control! Don’t forget to check our blog for more educational tidbits, and our website for the latest and greatest deals!