Exercise Information

Arthritis Exercise - One Way to Relieve Pain & Stiffness in Your Joints (part 1)


Exercise can be very beneficial for arthritis sufferers, often relieving stiffness in joints, strengthening muscles thereby reducing stress on joints, keeping bone and cartilage tissue strong and healthy, and increasing flexibility. A recommended 30-minute minimum of daily activity is the norm. Before starting any exercise program, it is vital that one speak to their doctor to ensure there are no unseen risks, however you will find that most doctors recommend exercise for their arthritis patients either on their own initiative or when asked.

The types of exercises suggested vary; however, with all types of exercise the warm-up is the starting point. Warming up is best started with applying warm compresses to the joints, followed by mild stretching. Range of motion exercises, such as dance, are a very good start, as are low-impact aerobics. These can relieve stiffness and increase flexibility. Never discount the effectiveness of walking as an exercise. Walking is a great exercise to improve the arthritic condition, and carrying weights as light as one pound and using your arms as you walk can involve the whole body. The "trick" is to make walking interesting enough as an exercise to stay motivated. Try walking in different settings, alternating walking with dance on different days, and of course including a partner can be much more interesting than going at it alone.

Using aquatics: exercising in a pool-is a great way to exercise as well. Water is an excellent aid because it provides resistance that builds muscle in the entire body while reducing shock to the joints at the same time. Additionally, because the whole body tends to become involved in aquatic exercise the added benefit of cardiovascular exercise is enjoyed. If at all possible, find a heated pool to work out in. Warm water is soothing to the joints and will cause the blood vessels to dilate, increasing circulation. With that in mind, it is often beneficial to add using a spa to your regimen, perhaps after your workout, in order to provide some soothing jets of water to your muscles and even more help with increased circulation, which is always vital when dealing with arthritis.

If you still want more variety, you may want to try yoga. Yoga is a general term for several stretching, and pose-oriented exercises originating in India, and is extremely beneficial toward achieving flexibility and reducing stress physically and mentally. There are gentle forms of yoga such as Hatha Yoga that are excellent to start with. Hatha Yoga comprises of gentle stretches and simple poses that help flexibility and balance, and are easy to learn and enjoy. Check your local activities paper or section of your local paper to see if there are any yoga classes near you.

Written by Shelley Hitz, Licensed Physical Therapist and Certified NASM Personal Trainer. If you have arthritis, she can design an online exercise program for you! Contact her today at http://www.onlinefitnesscoach.com or sign up for her FREE Exercise Advice Journal at http://www.abs-exercise-advice.com/journal.html


MORE RESOURCES:

Boston Globe

Reputed underboss seeks time to exercise
Boston Globe, United States - 12 hours ago
(Robert Spencer/Globe File Photo) By Milton J. Valencia Carmen "The Cheese Man" DiNunzio is looking for a bit of exercise and a good night's sleep. ...
Carmen “The Cheeseman” DiNunzio: Live and let diet Boston Herald
"CHEESEMAN" WANTS OUT WHYN
Reputed mob boss wants more exercise WHDH-TV
all 84 news articles


Kodiak Oil & Gas Corp. Announces Exercise of Over-Allotment Option
FOXBusiness - 5 hours ago
Including the exercise of the over-allotment option, the net proceeds of the offering, after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and Kodiak's ...


Great Western Minerals Group announces closing of early exercise ...
FOXBusiness - 6 hours ago
Great Western Minerals Group Ltd. ("GWMG" or the "Company") announces that the exercise period of the Company's early exercise warrant incentive program ...


CBS News

Georgians exercise 'passive resistance'
USA Today - 4 hours ago
By Bela Szandelszky, AP By Jeffrey Stinson, USA TODAY TBILISI, Georgia — Irakli Petriashvili and a small group of fellow Georgians will confront the Russian ...
Video: Despite Truce, Prisoners Taken in Georgia AssociatedPress
all 849 news articles


Exercise of employee share options in Revus Energy ASA
FOXBusiness - 6 hours ago
As a result of the exercise, the Board of Directors, following the authority approved in the Annual General Meeting, has resolved to increase the share ...


Economist

New film Five-finger exercise
Economist, UK - 13 hours ago
WOODY ALLEN’S 39th film, “Vicky Cristina Barcelona”, is being described as a return to form after three not very good years. In this romantic comedy, ...


BETTER HEALTH IS 80% NUTRITION - 20% EXERCISE
Ventura County Star, CA - 6 hours ago
Some of us have enough drive to hold together a good and nutritious diet as well as getting ourselves MOVING and keeping exercise as a priority. ...


Life support area gives troops ‘comfortable’ feel for weeklong ...
Stars and Stripes, DC - 6 hours ago
By Jimmy Norris, Stars and Stripes YONGSAN GARRISON, South Korea — The more than 350 US troops in town for this week’s training exercise found "home" in a ...
Yongsan cabs still not ready Stars and Stripes
all 2 news articles


Training exercise to increase noise near Barksdale AFB
KSLA-TV, LA - 10 hours ago
A training exercise involving as many as a dozen B52 bombers which began early Thursday will resume Monday morning. A spokesperson for the 2nd Bomb Wing ...
Training exercise to increase noise near Barksdale AFB KSLA-TV
all 4 news articles


New York Times

Men, Women and Speed. 2 Words: Got Testosterone?
New York Times, United States - 1 hour ago
But for a variety of intrinsic biological reasons, the best women can never run as fast as the best men, exercise researchers say. Women are slower than men ...

Exercise - Google News

home | site map
© 2006