Every mechanical object has a weak link, the one area that wears out over time and causes the mechanism to be prone to breakage. A good case can be made that, in the human body, our joints and the surrounding soft tissue are our weakest links.
The Toll of Joint Pain
Indeed, joint pain affects tens of millions of Americans. According to the Arthritis Foundation, over 1.3 million people suffer from rheumatoid arthritis, while another 27 million experience the pain associated with osteoarthritis. And everyone from fitness buffs to weekend warriors to professional athletes can attest to the toll that sports can take on joint health.
Knees are Vulnerable
Our knees are especially vulnerable to injury. If done to excess, running and other kinds of exercise can easily lead to kneecap pain or to pain where the quadriceps connects to the kneecap. Injuries to the cartilage and ligaments on the outside of the knee are common, as are muscular sprains and strains.
The Angst of Ankles and Shoulders
As with knees, our ankles are extremely vulnerable to injury. Strains and sprains are common, and are often caused by a simple twist or turn of the...