Arthritis And The Importance Of Exercise
If you have joint pain caused by arthritis, exercise may be the last thing on your mind. However, moving the joints around is the best way to limit the pain in those joints and to keep your range of motion reasonably good.
The exercises that you can undertake to lessen joint pain are not complicated, and they can be done, for the most part, right in your home. Once you have an understanding about the basic elements of the exercises that bring joint pain relief, you will be able to put together your own routine that will help you maintain flexibility and limit pain.
There are three primary kinds of arthritis exercise. They will respectively enhance your flexibility, strengthen your muscles and joints, and maintain your overall fitness level. While each of these kinds of exercise will help your well being, the flexibility movements are the most important in extending your range of motion, which is the amount that a given joint can move in each direction.
It might take a while for painful and stiff joints to relax and loosen up. But continue doing your exercises slowly and smoothly, and your range of motion will gradually increase. A few examples of good range-of-motion exercises to do are hip lifts, lower back rotations, back press and release, elbow bending, arm reaches, arm extensions, and finger curls.
Once you work carefully with your physician to identify an exercise program that is right for you, try to do it twice daily. Each exercise should be done anywhere from 3 to 10 times. When you're moving, do it smoothly and gradually. Bouncing or jerking will do much more damage to your joints.
Many people forget to breathe when they do exercises for arthritis. It can help to count your breaths out loud as you go. It will be normal to feel some discomfort at first, but always stop exercising if you experience intense pain.
Certain exercises are suggested to specifically reduce joint pain due to arthritis. Many people believe keeping mobile by completing normal daily activities such as stair climbing, preparing meals, vacuuming, and getting dresses will provide the same benefits. One needs to realize that everyday activities will not replace the exercises intended to help strengthen and reduce pain in the arthritic joints.
Exercise may be one of the best treatments for those who suffer from arthritis and joint pain. Although it may not sound like a pleasant prospect, getting those joints moving increases flexibility and will reduce discomfort in the long run. You do not need to leave your home or learn complicated workout routines to reduce the pain in your joints. The movements that will ease your pain are very simple and can be learned very quickly. It is easy to devise an effective routine that will keep your joints from hurting and keep them flexible enough for you to go about your everyday activities. The author, Ms. Kinsella, recommends Flex Protex to aid with joint discomfort.
Published March 5th, 2008
