Arthritic Patients, Although Painful, Require Exercise Daily

Nearly 1 in 3, or 66 million Americans suffer with arthritis, or some undiagnosed joint pain. These staggering figures urge Researchers to seek a cure, as the quality of life and ability to live independently is significantly impaired.

What can help in the interim? Pills all have their adverse side effects. Surgery is feared or unavailable. Alternative therapies, such as acupuncture are severely limited in their effectiveness.

Exercise, however, may help. Yes, exercise makes your pain worse initially. However, exercise is required to lose weight, and even a 5 pound weight loss can take 50 pounds of pressure off aching joints. Can you imagine the relief?

• Flexibility: Exercises which improve your bone and muscular system’s ability to be flexible is the first step towards relief of arthritic symptoms. Consult your physician to learn which joint system you should start with, and how to proceed. Perform these exercises on a daily basis at the best time for you. When is your pain the least, during the day? Does a hot shower help to relieve pain? If so, flexibility exercises are more effective after heat has been applied. Start slowly, but work up to doing these exercises for at least 10-15 minutes a day. By improving flexibility, you will increase the range of motion which has been impaired through arthritis.

• Strength (resistance) training: Exercises which make your muscles stronger, protect and support the skeletal or bone system: pain, therefore, is decreased. For the patient with arthritis, do not perform strengthening exercises more than two times a week (the usual 3-4 times a week is NOT for you!).

• Aerobic (endurance) training: This exercise will help you to reduce weight, and thereby, pressure on painful joints. Start slowly, but make your goal to perform aerobic exercises at least 4 times per week. Choose exercises which will not have a strong impact on any of your joints. Swimming or water exercises are the best, as the water buoys up arthritic, painful joints, while allowing you more freedom of movement.

Some scientists also believe that exercise will help your skeletal system to produce a fluid between your joints, which can act as a cushioning device, and prevent bone-on-bone irritation. However, it may take between 2 to 3 months to initiate this process. What that means to you, is not to give up. Keep exercising, at your own pace, and at the end of 3 months, you will be able to discern a difference. What do you have to lose? You have a whole lot to gain!