Arthritis patients are less physically
active. This is simply because of the
factors involved with the disease. Many
arthritis patients are under the misconception that exercise will cause further
damage to their joints. However, this is
not so, as exercising regularly helps to strengthen the muscles and to protect
the joints. Appropriate exercise helps
to ease pain, keep you mobile and to help control weight. Your chances of developing chronic diseases
are increased when you are not physically active. Over half the adults living with heart
disease or diabetes also have arthritis.
Experts have revealed that lack of information on how to exercise
properly, fear of worsening symptoms or damaging joints, fear of pain and pain
prevent people living with arthritis from being physically active.
The good
news
Over 40 million persons live with
arthritis and the good news for these 40 million people is that a regiment of
moderate exercise can improve mobility and reduce pain. For those living with arthritis physical
activities such as swimming, bicycling and walking have shown to improve
physical function, reduce pain, and improve the quality of life. The risk of developing Osteoarthritis is
reduced when weight control and injury prevention measures are taken. Weight loss and control is also helpful to
reduce symptoms of patients that are suffering with knee Osteoarthritis.
The following tips will help you to
understand how to effectively and safely enhance your physical activity in
arthritis:
Rest: When our bodies rest or
sleep, they are restoring energy.
Balancing rest with exercise is effective to help reduce arthritis
symptoms. Balance exercise with rest and
pace yourself. However, it is important to remember, that too much rest can
make your joints stiff.
Activity: Keep yourself active. Stronger muscles help to reduce fatigue. Good activities for arthritic patients
include exercises and swimming in a heated pool.
Gentleness: Be gentle in your daily
life. Start slow and gradually build
doing a little more each day. Avoid
contact sports and other high impact activities.
Convenience: When you are in the least
amount of pain, tired or stiff, exercise.
And, exercise during the time that your medication is most effective.
Variety: Motion exercises should be done at least once a day. When waking in the morning exercising first
will help to ease the stiffness felt upon rising. Exercising prior to bedtime will help stop
the stiffness from developing during your sleep. Only do a range of movement exercises when
you experience a flare up.
People with arthritis can manage
chronic conditions such as obesity, heart disease and diabetes by finding help
to overcome the barriers that often limit their physical activity.
To effectively manage chronic
conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, and obesity, people with arthritis
need help finding ways to overcome arthritis-specific barriers to physical
activity. Using natural anti-arthritis herbal supplements may significantly
reduce swelling, stiffness and tenderness of the affected joints and provides
the much-needed muscular boost to carry on healthy physical activity in people
with arthritis.
