Exercising With Arthritis

Arthritis means joint inflammation, which includes swelling,
redness, heat, and pain caused by tissue injury or disease in
the joints. When you are diagnosed with arthritis you are
looking at a disease that can cause pain, stiffness, and
swelling in the joints. Arthritis may also affect your muscles
and bones.

The treatment for arthritis includes rest and relaxation, proper
diet, medication, learning how to use your joints in such a way
as to not waste motion, pain relief methods, and exercise.

Exercise will help with your arthritis in many ways. Once you
begin an exercise routine for your arthritis you will notice a
reduction in your joint pain and stiffness. Your joints will have
an increase in flexibility. Your muscles will be strengthened
and your cardiac fitness level will increase. Exercise will also
help with weight reduction and help you feel better all over.

There are different types of exercises to choose from when
developing an arthritis exercise program. The following three
types of exercises will benefit those with arthritis.

Aerobic

Aerobic exercises target your large muscle groups and will
improve your cardiovascular fitness. With arthritis you want to
control your weight. The more weight you have the greater the
pressure on your joints. Aerobic exercise will give you the
ability to help control your weight. Some studies have shown
that aerobic exercise can reduce the inflammation in some of
your joints.

Types of Aerobic exercises to choose from include aerobic
dance, bicycling, jogging, running, swimming, and walking.

Strengthening

Strengthening exercises target your muscles to help increase
your muscle strength. You need to have strong muscles to
support your joints. These exercises also strengthen your
bones. Strong bones will help in the prevention of
osteoporosis and bone fractures.

Types of Strengthening exercises to choose from include
dancing, jogging, hiking, stair climbing, and weight training.

Flexibility

Flexibility exercises will help maintain normal joint movement
and relieve stiffness. This type of exercise helps maintain or
increase flexibility.

Types of Flexibility exercises to choose from include dancing,
stretching exercises.

Your doctor will be able to guide you in setting up an exercise
program that is beneficial to you.

Depending upon the severity of your arthritis you may want to
have a physical therapist, experienced with arthritis patients,
design an exercise program for you.