Simple, holistic ways to keep every member of your family, furry or not, moving with ease.
Understanding the Foundation of Movement
A strong, flexible body isn’t just about muscles and bones; it’s about how everything in the body works together. When our joints ache, our pets limp, or we feel “stiff and creaky,” it’s often a sign that inflammation, stress, or nutrient gaps are quietly affecting how our tissues heal and move.
Instead of masking the pain with quick fixes, a functional approach looks at the why behind the what, calming inflammation naturally, and supporting repair from the inside out. You know that I always take a root cause approach to health, and this is no different!
This article walks you through natural, functional ways to support joint and muscle health in both people and pets, including real-world examples of natural products that use plants, oils, and even ancestral compounds to restore comfort and improve mobility.
What Inflammation Really Is, and Why It Matters
Inflammation isn’t the enemy; it’s a messenger. When tissues are stressed, overworked, or injured, the body releases chemical signals and cytokines as a “call for help.” This inflammatory response brings blood flow, nutrients, and immune cells to the area to start the repair process. In short bursts, inflammation is a good thing, because it’s how your body heals your sprained ankle or your dog’s strained shoulder. It also causes pain, which should be seen as a warning signal to relax, rest, and heal.
The problem comes when inflammation doesn’t turn off. Chronic stress, ultra-processed diets, toxins, and overuse can keep that signal stuck in the “on” position, creating a constant, low-grade fire smoldering in the body. Over time, this can wear down cartilage, tighten muscles, and even affect other systems like the gut and brain. And interestingly, the opposite course of events can occur; inflammation or dysbiosis in the gut can actually lead to damage of our joints, bones and other tissues!
In pets, chronic inflammation might look like stiffness getting up in the morning, licking at joints, or losing interest in play. In people, it can show up as fatigue, morning joint stiffness (called gelling), or those mysterious aches that seem to happen randomly without having actually injured yourself. And this doesn’t only happen to older individuals- I started having chronic neck pain in my late 20s, which caused me a lot of issues since I was taking NSAIDs like candy and eventually gave myself gastritis and a brush border injury.
A functional approach doesn’t try to shut inflammation down completely; it helps the body rebalance and return to its natural rhythm of repair. This is where foods rich in antioxidants, omega-3s, and natural plant compounds like turmeric and frankincense can be used. Other bodywork can come into play as well, including acupuncture, chiropractic, massage, vibration therapy and redlight therapy, so be sure to read part 2 for a discussion about these.
Functional Support for Joints and Muscles
Functional health means looking at the body as one connected system. For strong joints and flexible muscles, that means:
- Calming inflammation rather than suppressing it completely
- Supporting tissue repair with nutrients and building blocks
- Encouraging healthy circulation and lymphatic flow
- Feeding the body the right fats, minerals, and proteins for resilience
These same principles apply to both people and pets because we share similar biology paired with a deep personal connection. When we care for our bodies naturally, our furry family members benefit, too.
Nutrition for Strong Joints and Muscles
The foundation of musculoskeletal health starts with food… are you surprised? What we (and our pets) eat literally builds the cartilage, tendons, and muscles that keep us moving. Here are some important nutrients and how to get them from real, whole foods.
Vitamin D supports bone strength, muscle function, and the body’s ability to absorb calcium. You can find it in wild caught salmon and sardines, pasture-raised egg yolks, cod liver oil, and mushrooms exposed to sunlight. I currently take cod liver oil daily due to a history of low vitamin D levels and thyroiditis and feel that anyone who lives above the state of Georgia should probably be on some level of vitamin D support.
Manganese helps form collagen and rebuild cartilage. This is one of the most important minerals for joint health and something to consider if you or your pet have a history of tendon or ligament injuries. Great sources include blue mussels, pumpkin seeds, hemp hearts, and, for pets, raw green tripe.
Collagen and amino acids provide structure and elasticity to joints, skin, and connective tissue. Bone broth, chicken skin (pasture raised), beef tendon, gelatin, and eggs are fantastic options. Any high-quality pasture raised or grass fed cut of meat will eventually break down into amino acids, which is protein in its smallest form. Remember that sourcing matters!
Glucosamine and chondroitin cushion the joints and help maintain cartilage. These are naturally found in bone broth, chicken feet, beef trachea, shellfish, and green-lipped mussels. Now, some of these probably don’t sound appetizing to you as a human, but there are countless cultures across the world that do consume them in various forms to reap the benefits. I make bone broth monthly and share it with my dogs and cats. They get it poured over their food, and I have it as a warm snack or as broth for my soups and stews.
Omega-3 fatty acids calm inflammation and keep joints flexible. You’ll find them in salmon, sardines, mackerel, anchovy and other small oily fish that are wild caught, as well as freshly ground flaxseed, organic chia seeds, pasture-raised eggs, and algae oil. In the typical American diet, we have an Omega 3:6 ratio of about 1:15 in our diet, and for pets eating kibble it’s closer to 1:30. The ideal ratio should be 1:4!
Key Functional Herbs & Botanicals
- Turmeric & Ginger: Natural anti-inflammatories that also improve digestion and circulation.
Found in: golden paste or Coco-Gold, herbal teas, and infused oils. - Frankincense (Boswellia): Supports flexibility and reduces stiffness.
Found in: essential oils and herbal tinctures. - CBD / Hemp Extract: Works with the body’s endocannabinoid system to balance inflammation and pain naturally.
Found in: full-spectrum hemp oils and tinctures. - Homeopathics (Arnica, Aconite): Gentle support for trauma, inflammation, and shock.
Found in: first-aid blends like Adored Beast’s Your Go 2, or Boiron brand homeopathies.
Real-World Product Spotlights
These natural formulas show how different approaches come together to support the body holistically, for humans and animals alike. I currently use or have used all the products below for my family.
Tvati Traditional
Inspired by traditional Maori medicine in the Cook Islands, Tvati uses hibiscus bark extract in organic coconut oil to support bone, cartilage, and soft tissue healing. It’s a gentle topical remedy for humans or pets with sore joints, pulled muscles or injured ligaments (even broken bones!) and a beautiful example of how ancient plant wisdom meets modern medicine.
View Tvati Traditional here →
EASE by CBD Dog Health
This full-spectrum hemp extract tincture blends CBD, turmeric, and frankincense to support mobility and immunity. CBD works with the body’s endocannabinoid system, binding to receptor to calm inflammation and ease pain. I use EASE (because even though it’s a pet product, it’s all human grade!) for my neck arthritis, my dog’s environmental sensitivities, and proactive joint support for my geriatric cat.
View EASE here →
Joint Care Extract by Mountain Rose Herbs
A botanical tincture blend with devil’s claw, ginger, turmeric, and yucca, formulated to soothe occasional aches and support normal musculoskeletal function. It can be taken in water or directly on the tongue. I’ve recommended this blend to many of my patients with arthritis or a history of joint surgery or injury.
View Joint Care Extract →
Coco-Gold by CocoTherapy
A perfect blend of organic coconut oil, turmeric, ginger, and black pepper that supports healthy joints, digestive balance, and immune function. Black pepper enhances curcumin absorption (the powerful compound that gives turmeric its golden glow) in the lining of the small intestine, and the coconut oil supports brain health as well!
View Coco-Gold here →
Your Go 2 by Adored Beast
This homeopathic duo combines Aconite and Arnica, two traditional remedies for trauma, injury, or shock. It’s a perfect tool to have on hand when an accident or injury occurs, or if you’re anything like me and you frequently trip over or walk into objects because you’re easily distracted by books, cats or dogs.
View Your Go 2 here →
Algal Omega by Woof Creek
A plant-based omega-3 oil made from microalgae instead of fish. It’s rich in DHA for joint, brain, and heart support, and perfect for pets with fish allergies or families who prefer sustainable, ocean-friendly options.
View Algal Omega here →
How to Layer These Approaches
- Start with food: Whole, nutrient-dense meals full of quality protein and healthy fats will always be the best and most important step you can take.
- Add daily support: Golden pastes or omega oils act as toppers for ongoing nutritional support.
- Target specific needs: Use FSHE tinctures or topicals during flare-ups or soreness. Know the underlying cause for you or your pet to choose targeted approaches.
- Keep first-aid handy: Homeopathic blends like Your Go 2 should be kept on hand for quick response after stress or injury.
- Enhance movement: Gentle walks, stretching, massage, and rest are all medicine in motion.
Wrapping It Up…
Quite literally, in case you ever need to actually wrap something up, I strongly recommend having a kit with several of the aforementioned remedies and even more on hand. Dr. Lynda Loudon has created an Emergency Kit, which is packed full of fantastic products that are perfect to have on hand not just for your dog or cat, but for you as well! The products are all human grade, and I personally use them on myself and my husband just as often as I do my furry family members.
Functional care is about empowerment and understanding that both your body and your pets’ bodies are designed to heal when given the right support. By combining nourishing foods, plant medicine, and mindful movement, you can build a strong, natural foundation for lifelong mobility and vitality. Because the best medicine cabinet is actually found naturally in your kitchen and garden.
