Fibromyalgia

How Often Should People With Arthritis Exercise?

• Range-of-motion exercises can be done daily and should be done at least every other day.

• Strengthening exercises should be done every other day unless you have severe pain or swelling in your joints.

• Endurance exercises should be done for 20 to 30 minutes three times a week unless you have severe pain or swelling in your joints. According to the American College of Rheumatology, 20- to 30-minute exercise routines can be performed in increments of 10 minutes over the course of a day.

While people who have not exercised for a while may suffer some occasion discomfort when they initiate an exercise program, this discomfort may be more severe and require more intensive intervention for those people who have some form of arthritis. Yet, an exercise program is an integral part of the treatment plan for those people affected by arthritis, so what can they do?

What Are Some Pain Relief Methods for People With Arthritis?

Should People With Arthritis Exercise?

Yes. Studies have shown that exercise helps people with arthritis in many ways. Exercise reduces joint pain and stiffness and increases flexibility, muscle strength, cardiac fitness, and endurance. It also helps with weight reduction and contributes to an improved sense of well-being.

How Does Exercise Fit Into a Treatment Plan for People With Arthritis?

In mild cases, symptoms may go away when stress is decreased or lifestyle changes are implemented. A combination of treatments including medications, patient education, physical therapy, and counseling are usually recommended. Many fibromyalgia sufferers have found support groups helpful.

Certain classes of antidepressant medications are sometimes prescribed for the disorder. Studies show that antidepressants in low doses can decrease depression, relax craniofacial and skeletal muscles, improve sleep quality, and release pain-killing endorphins. Other medications that are used include anti-inflammatory pain medications and medications that work on pain transmission pathways, such as Gabapentin.

Acupuncture is effective treatment of fibromyalgia, especially for symptoms of fatigue and anxiety, according to the results of a prospective, partially blinded, randomized study reported in the June, 2006 issue of the Mayo Clinic Proceedings.