Experts believe lifestyle factors could be to blame
Previously thought to be a condition that solely troubled older adults, arthritis is now increasingly striking much younger people – and lifestyle factors may be the culprit.
Pharmacist Noel Wicks, adviser to Deep Relief, explained: “We often think that arthritis is something that only middle-aged and older people get but a new report for Deep Relief has found that young people are now suffering too. In fact, almost half of young adults aged 18 to 34 say they’re currently sore or aching.”
Noel added: “What I find really worrying is that one in five 18 to 24-year-olds and 23 per cent of 35-to-44-year-olds say they now have arthritis. Clearly arthritis is no longer a health issue for older people alone. There is a myriad of reasons behind this worrying trend, with lifestyle at the focus of most of them. In younger people, the rise of screen-based activities, whether for education, work or recreation, could be very problematic. Long hours hunched over laptops, tablets and smartphones have created the perfect storm for poor posture, muscular imbalances and strain on the spine and neck.”
The pharmacist also warned that a lack of exercise or poor form while exercising could contribute, reports the Express. He said: “Many youngsters don’t help their joints either through not having enough exercise, or they do exercise without proper form. From skipping warm-ups and cool downs to exercising incorrectly – such as doing strength-based exercises with incorrect form, exercise, while being an essential part of a healthy lifestyle, needs to be done properly.”
Noel continued: “Even one session with a personal trainer to show you how to work safely in the gym can reap dividends for looking after your joints. Diet is important too, as much of the ‘fast food’, including snacks we eat these days, is a source of inflammation for the whole of the body and can contribute to inflammation of the joints and hence arthritis.”
He added: “Weight is also a factor when it comes to arthritis due to the strain it puts on the joints. In 2022 among males, 35 per cent of 16-24-year-olds, 58 per cent of 25-34-year-olds and 75 per cent of 35-44-year-olds were overweight or obese. In females equivalent figures were 38 per cent, 57 per cent and 61 per cent respectively.”
Noel listed his top tips for combating arthritis in younger people:
Keep moving
Noel advised: “Muscle and joint stiffness is a common problem when you’re still for long periods of time. Make sure you move at least once every hour – set an alarm if you need to! Stretch, walk around…whatever you need to do to change position. If you are dealing with pain, it’s also best to move. Research has found that staying physically active can actually reduce the severity of pain.”
Try topical pain relief
Noel said: “For pain linked to non-serious arthritic conditions, topical pain relief can be very effective – and avoid some of the side effects of oral painkillers.”
Maintain good posture
Noel advised on maintaining good posture, stating: “Many young people face pain from bad posture. Sitting slumped over a keyboard or a smartphone all day can make muscles and joints sore and tight. So, whether you’re sitting or standing, keep your back upright, shoulders back and feet planted on the ground with weight distributed evenly. Also avoid slumping on a sofa over your phone and try not to use a phone in bed as you will strain neck joints.”
Exercise safely
He also emphasised the importance of safe exercise, suggesting that runners should invest in good running shoes, and gym-goers might want to consider hiring a personal trainer, even if just for one session, to ensure they’re using the equipment correctly and safely for their joints.
Follow an anti-inflammatory diet
On the topic of diet, he recommended an anti-inflammatory approach, encouraging a variety of fruits and vegetables, as well as beans, wholegrains, seeds and nuts. For those who enjoy meat, indulgence is fine, but it shouldn’t dominate every meal.
Noel added: “Despite some pain being short-lived, such as post-gym muscle soreness, sharp or lasting pain is not normal and should be checked. If pain stops you from living your life as normal, see your GP.”
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