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Special Advertising Section | Sunday, October 19, 2025 17!\Movement is like WD-40 for your joints. Our hip, shoulder, knee and elbow joints are called synovial joints; they contain fluid that helps nourish the cartilage by preventing wear while the joint is in motion. Movement helps circulate the fluid and lubricate those joints, averting stiffness and discomfort, said Dean Padavan, associate program director of Primary Care Sports Medicine Fellowship at Atlantic Health.In addition to regular stretching, Dr. Gbolahan Okubadejo, a spine surgeon in New York and New Jersey, recommends 150 minutes a week of moderate to vigorous exercise. That could be gentler, joint-friendly activities such as yoga, Pilates and tai chi, or something more intense, like swimming laps. Approach supplements with cautionNumerous companies sell supplements like glucosamine and chondroitin that they claim can improve joint health. The research, however, is mixed on whether supplements actually help with stiffness and pain.So, before taking one, run it by your primary care physician to discuss side effects and potential drug interactions, said Antonia Chen, chair of orthopedic surgery at UT Southwestern Medical Center.If your doctor gives you the go-ahead to try a supplement, look for a certification seal from a trusted third-party organization, Padavan said.Lifestyle changes are most helpfulSeveral experts say that lifestyle habits like exercise and good nutrition are the best way to keep your joints supple.Try not to sit for longer than an hour at a time, and set a timer to remind you to get up if you have to, Okubadejo said.Following an anti-inflammatory diet may help control inflammation, which can lead to joint pain, according to the Arthritis Foundation. And research suggests that every pound of weight lost removes four pounds of pressure on lower-body joints.Don%u2019t normalize joint painIt%u2019s tempting to think that joint pain is a natural part of getting older, but all the experts said not to ignore it. A few minutes of creakiness in the morning is %u201cprobably fine,%u201d Chen said. But if your stiffness lasts longer than an hour, or you%u2019re avoiding normal activities because of joint pain, see a doctor, she said. By Jancee DunnThe New York TimesIF YOU LIVE IN IT, YOU SHOULD LOVE IT. 206.324.8199 | gaspars.com | 300 S Lucile St. Seattle, WA 98108DESIGN REMODELHANDYMANGOLD STANDARD LIVINGG OL D WINN ERBest Independent LivingDiscover why Emerald Heights was voted Best in the PNW forIndependent Living. With access to beautiful nature trails andoutdoor spaces, residents enjoy wellness, connection, and theopportunity to plan ahead with confidence. Come see what award-winning senior living looks like.Schedule a visit at www.emeraldheights.com.Independent Living and a Full Continuum of Care 10901 176th Circle NE, Redmond, WA(425) 448-8162EmeraldHeights.com