Harvard Health Content API

Studies of older people who participated in a daily 12-minute yoga routine over a period of 10 years show improvements in bone density at the hip and spine— possibly because yoga requires a high degree of muscle control, strengthening both muscles and bones. 

Sprained ankles occur as often as 25,000 times per day in the United States. But you can help avoid this injury caused by overstretching or tearing the ligaments in your ankle by strengthening and stretching the muscles around it. 

Women who have both ovaries removed before natural menopause face higher odds of bone thinning and fractures. These women need to make sure they have sufficient intake of vitamin D and calcium-rich foods and stay physically active every day. 

Just like every part of your body, your bones need maintenance to be healthy and strong. Here's a primer for bringing bone-building into your regular schedule.

Estrogen levels start to dip during perimenopause and accelerate during menopause. It's never too late to work on strengthening your bones by getting plenty of dietary calcium and vitamin D, and to include weight-bearing exercises such as walking, jogging, and climbing stairs into your daily routine.

Swimming increases blood flow, while water provides far more resistance than moving through air, which helps strengthen your muscles. Plus, swimming is an excellent activity for people with joint pain.

Leg pain can be an early warning sign of circulation problems, nerve damage, or even a medical emergency. Test your knowlege of leg pain symptoms in this simple quiz.