Collagen as a Potential Source of Relief for Joint Pain and Soft Tissue Injuries
At SoleFit, we’re always looking for ways to help speed up the healing process when injury strikes —
or ideally, find ways to prevent injuries from occurring in the first place.
We see a number of patients coming through our clinic with joint-related pain
and soft tissue injuries, and in some cases we recommend looking into collagen as a support tool.
Collagen is like the ‘glue’ that holds us together.
Collagen is the most abundant protein in the body and truly acts as the ‘glue’
that holds everything together.
There are many high-quality collagen supplements available, but they can become expensive.
One of the most cost-effective ways to increase collagen intake is through bone broth.
Whether homemade
(see recipe here)
or store-bought, quality matters.
Ideally, look for bone broth made from grass-fed animal bones —
often best sourced from your local butcher.
Unfortunately, many store-bought options contain less-than-ideal ingredients,
so always check the labels carefully.
Let’s look at a couple of ways in which collagen can be helpful
from a pedorthic perspective.
Reduce Soft Tissue Injuries
Collagen plays an important role in allowing us to move without pain or discomfort.
While our bodies naturally produce collagen, heavy exercisers and those recovering
from joint or soft tissue injuries may benefit from supplementation.
Supplemental collagen has the potential to
help speed up the healing process ,
and
studies have shown
reduced discomfort in individuals with osteoarthritic conditions.
Help Reduce Inflammation
Many injuries we see in the clinic are worsened by systemic inflammation,
sometimes linked to gut permeability issues (often referred to as “leaky gut”).
Collagen can help support and repair the protective lining of the gastrointestinal tract,
potentially reducing inflammation throughout the body.
For more information, check out
this article.
For those dealing with arthritis or recovering from soft tissue injuries,
collagen — particularly through bone broth —
can be an inexpensive way to potentially reduce discomfort
and support the healing process.
As always, we’d love to hear from you if you have any questions or comments.
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