INDUSTRY INSIGHT
BONE & JOINT HEALTH
SPONSORED CONTENT
Move More, Feel Better: Why Exercise Really is the Best Medicine
Healthy bones and joints are essential not only for lifespan— how long you live— but also for health span— how well you live. This article is the second in a two-part series on simple lifestyle changes that build bone and joint health. To read Part 1,“ Food is Medicine,” visit https:// tinyurl. com / 34atzvvj.
Let’ s explore how exercise is medicine to help you live long and prosper.
Exercise is a great way to prevent chronic health conditions like heart disease and diabetes. But did you know that exercise is also the best way to prevent common conditions like osteoporosis( loss of bone), sarcopenia( age-related muscle loss), and osteoarthritis( wear and tear to the joints)?
Regular movement keeps bones and muscles strong, reduces pain in joints, and is one of the best ways to prevent falls and fragility fractures as you age.
Bone is a living tissue that gets stronger when you exercise.“ Weight-bearing activities” help bones to become denser and stronger over time, and reduce the risk of fractures, especially as you age. Weight-bearing activities are any movements that place stress on bones:
• Walking or jogging
• Resistance training
• Lifting weights
• Dancing
Strengthening the muscles around your joints improves your balance and mobility. Muscles act as shock absorbers for joints and offer support, reducing the risk of falls that could lead to fractures. Activities that help you build the muscles necessary for better balance and mobility include:
• Strength training
• Pilates
• Bodyweight exercises
If you have painful joints due to osteoarthritis, almost any type of movement can help manage or reduce that pain. Inflamed joints love to move, and pain and swelling will actually decrease after movement. Moving regularly also helps you reach and maintain a healthy weight, reducing the pressure on joints that may be causing pain.
To keep your exercise routine fun and friendly to painful joints, try things like:
• Yoga
• Swimming
• Cycling
If you would like help with your exercise plan, you can find a team with the resources and support you need to“ live long and prosper.” Whether your goal is to lose the weight that is putting extra pressure on aching joints, or to build strong bones and muscles that will carry you through life, there are professionals who can work with you to develop a customized plan.
The Wellness Center for Bone and Joint Health offers:
• Exercise plans that are realistic and help move the needle on personal goals.
• Resources that help get the most out of individual diets.
• Support and coaching as frequently as needed— through inperson sessions and telemedicine or phone check-ins.
At the Wellness Center for Bone and Joint Health, medical director Dr. Noelle DiGioia Guthrie and certified physician assistant Tiffany Belculfine are ready to help people live longer, healthier, and more active lives. Call or email to speak with a provider at 412.641.8594 or drnoelle @ pfcusa. org, or visit boneandjointhealth. org / screening to download free resources.
DID YOU KNOW THAT EXERCISE IS MEDICINE?
Get screened to know where you stand.
( l) Tiffany Belculfine, PA-C and( r) Dr. Noelle DiGioia Guthrie
FREE SCREENINGS FROM THE WELLNESS CENTER:
• Ultrasound bone density testing
• Grip strength testing to detect muscle loss
• Fall-risk screening
• Nutritional assessments
Early evaluations and screenings are a must! Make an appointment to get evaluated by a team that addresses all of your bone and joint health needs. Simple, non-invasive tests can tell you if you’ re on the path to a long and independent life or headed for worrisome health down the road.
412-641-8594 boneandjointhealth. org / screening
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