If you own a car in the UK, you’ll know that every year you need to get it inspected by a mechanic to ensure that it passes the MOT test for safety and roadworthiness…but when was the last time you checked in with your joints and really thought about how they’re doing? We spend more time in our bodies than we do in a car, and yet sometimes that means we let things slip and don’t give our joints the care they really need.
You probably don’t need to spend hours analysing every single tiny little twinge or ache, but taking a few minutes to truly examine how your joints feel, whether they’re supporting you properly or if anything is starting to feel a little unstable, and whether anything has changed recently can be a good way to notice any areas that might need more attention.
Just to be clear, this is not a medical assessment. There is no “perfect score”. This is just a quick little MOT check for your own awareness.
How Does the Joint Health MOT Work?
For each question, give yourself a score based on the following:
0 points: Rarely or not at all
1 point: Sometimes or a little
2 points: Frequently or noticeably
Once you’ve been through the questions, add up your score. It’s not a diagnosis, but you may find that you notice patterns you hadn’t thought about before.
1. Do your joints feel stiff when you first start moving?
Do your knees or ankles feel stiff when you get out of bed in the morning? Do you find yourself hobbling along waiting for your joints to warm back up after sitting for a while? Do your fingers feel stiff when you first start using them?
A little stiffness now and then may not be worrying, but regular or prolonged stiffness is worth paying attention to, particularly if it has been getting worse over time.
2. Has joint pain made you change what you do?
Stopped going for walks due to knee pain? Avoiding certain types of exercise? Or have you found yourself turning down activities because you’re already thinking ahead to icing your joints all evening?
If any of this sounds familiar, it may be that you’re changing your behaviour because you’re worried about pain and discomfort…which could be having a much bigger impact on your life than you’ve realised.
3. Do everyday tasks hurt your joints?
Joint pain isn’t always triggered by running, jumping and intense exercise. Think about the things you do every day.
Does climbing the stairs hurt? How about lifting yourself out of a chair? Does it cause you discomfort to pick up a kettle or carry grocery bags?
If everyday tasks are becoming difficult, small adjustments or appropriate stretches may help make those movements more comfortable.
4. Are you finding it hard to move enough to support your joints?
Your joints are supposed to move; in fact, that’s exactly what they’re made for! It might sometimes feel a little counterintuitive, but regular physical activity can often help to strengthen supporting muscles and reduce stiffness, helping to maintain mobility.
Still, you don’t need to spend hours in the gym. Some regular walking, swimming, cycling, stretching, yoga and other low-impact exercises can help you keep moving without causing unnecessary strain.
If you’re experiencing joint pain, start small and gradually build up your activity. This can be a much more manageable approach than trying to do it all at once.
5. Do your muscles ever feel like they're not supporting your joints enough?
Muscles play a very important role in supporting and stabilising your joints. As we grow older, it’s normal to lose some muscle mass and strength, especially if we’re not regularly using them.
Strength exercises don’t have to be complicated. Resistance bands, bodyweight exercises and swimming can all help maintain the muscles supporting your joints.
6. Do your joints ever feel unreliable?
This might sound a little odd, but hear us out. Think about how confident you actually feel relying on your joints.
Do your knees sometimes feel like they might buckle beneath you? Do you avoid putting your full weight on one leg? Do you feel unsteady when you’re using stairs or getting up from a chair?
Building strength around the joint may help, but changes in stability or confidence are also worth discussing with a healthcare professional.
7. Has anything changed in the last 12 months?
Consider your joint health a year ago compared with today. Is stiffness lasting longer? Are everyday movements harder? Do you use your hands to get up from the sofa when you didn’t before? Have the activities you used to like started to feel difficult and taxing, rather than enjoyable?
Changes can happen gradually, and it’s easy not to notice until you look back and think about what used to feel easier.
What Does Your Score Mean?
Once you’ve answered all seven questions, add up your points and check below to learn your Joint Health MOT results.
0-4: Keep looking after your joints
The good news is that your answers don’t suggest many noticeable problems affecting your everyday movement! Try not to take it for granted, and instead take it as a reminder to keep your joints moving, maintain muscle strength and continue paying close attention to any changes, big or small. Why not try ensuring your diet is joint-friendly by trying one of our recipes.
5-9: Your joints could use a little bit of TLC
Your answers do suggest there are a few areas of your joint health that you could perhaps give some more attention to. It could help to introduce more regular movement and try to strengthen the muscles around your joints. Even making small changes to the way you approach everyday activities can be a big help.
If you’re experiencing persistent pain or stiffness, consider speaking to a healthcare
professional such as your GP or a physiotherapist.
10–14: Time to pay closer attention
Your answers suggest that joint pain, stiffness or changes in mobility may be having a significant impact on your day-to-day life. We can’t tell you what’s causing your symptoms, but you may have good reason to take them seriously.
If you haven’t already done so, speak to a GP or other healthcare professional about what you’re experiencing with your joints. Getting medical advice may help you understand what’s happening and what options might be available to manage your symptoms and keep you moving.
It's Not About Getting a Perfect Score
There isn’t really such a thing as a perfect joint health MOT score. Your joints deal with a lot, and they might handle things better or worse from one day to the next.
This quick check isn’t about giving your joints a pass or fail. It’s about noticing changes and recognising when you might benefit from adjusting your habits or seeking treatment.
Regular movement, maintaining muscle strength and looking after your overall health can all help support your joints. If you’re already experiencing discomfort, topical treatments such as FlexiSEQ can also help reduce friction and support comfortable movement.