Orthoapedic surgeon says stretching joints without warming up can be harmful; shares 5 things he has stopped doing

Every day habits like relying on painkillers as the solution and not warming up before stretching are silently hurting your bones and joints.

Pushing through pain, copying professional athletes at the gym, or stretching cold muscles may feel like signs of dedication — but according to orthopaedic experts, these habits often do more harm than good. With years of experience treating preventable injuries, surgeons frequently see how everyday fitness mistakes can quietly damage bones, joints and connective tissue. Drawing from clinical insight, Dr David Abbasi breaks down the habits he has consciously left behind — and why rethinking them could protect your body in the long run.

 Dr Abbasi highlights that warming up is essential before stretching.(Unsplash)

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Dr Abbasi — an orthopaedic surgeon specialising in sports medicine and arthroscopic surgery, and a popular health content creator — has shared five things he has stopped doing since becoming a surgeon. In an Instagram video posted on December 19, the surgeon explains how habits such as relying on painkillers and stretching without proper warm-ups can harm bones and joints, breaking down what happens in the body and why these practices should be avoided.