Exercises for Arthritis
Studies show that exercises for arthritis helps patients in several ways. Exercises reduce joint pains, stiffness and increase muscle strength, cardiac fitness, flexibility and endurance. Exercises contribute to an improved sense and well-being of an arthritis patient. At times, exercises also help to reduce extra pounds of body fat.
Arthritis exercises are the essential part of a complete arthritis treatment plan. There are three types of exercises to lessen arthritis related pain.
In the range of motion exercises for arthritis, first comes dancing. It helps to maintain normal joint movement and relieve stiffness. This type of exercise helps to maintain or increase flexibility.
Second, strengthening workouts such as weight training helps keep or increase muscle strength. These muscles support and protect joints affected due to arthritis condition.
Third, aerobic exercise such as bicycle riding improves cardiovascular fitness, controls weight and improves overall body function. Weight control is important because extra weight puts extra pressure on many joints.
Some studies show that aerobic exercises notably reduce inflammation in some joints. Most health care centers offer special arthritis exercise programs for patients with arthritis.
Various Types of Exercises:
Walking is the excellent exercise for arthritis patients, as it builds strength, maintains joint flexibility, and aids in bone health.
Some arthritis patients can practice Tai Chi. Tai Chi is a gentle martial arts exercise for arthritis. While performing certain tasks such as flowing circular movements, patients need to relax, maintain mobility and gradually, improve range of motion.
Yoga provides relief from arthritis pain, relaxes stiff muscles, and eases sore joints. Yoga follows controlled movements, pressures, stretches and involves deep breathing. It is amongst the beneficial exercises for arthritis.
Warm water exercise is also an excellent way to build up strength, ease stiff joints and relax sore muscles. The water helps to support the body when the joints move in a full range-of-motion. In addition, water places less stress on the hips, knees and spine.
Cycling provides a good low impact exercise for arthritis pain. Cycling equipment can be adjusted and altered to the limitation of the arthritis patient.
Running can also be a good exercise for arthritis, if done on smoother surfaces.
Things to Remember:
First, discuss the recommended exercise plan with your doctor as stated. Then, contact your physical therapist or a qualified athletic trainer. Apply some heat to sore joints using mobile heating pads. After that, stretch and warm up with range of motion exercises for arthritis. Try with small weights of one or two pounds. Progress slowly. Use cold packs after exercising.
Patients need to discuss arthritis exercises options with their doctors and other health care providers before starting the regime. Most doctors may recommend a list of several other beneficial arthritis exercises to the patients.
Sometimes, doctors also suggest to the patients to begin with some easy arthritis exercises and low impact aerobics exercise for speedy recovery from arthritis pain. It is also beneficial, if the patients want to participate in a variety of light sports and or arthritis exercise programs.