Gout

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?

Since doctors believe gout is caused by an imbalance of uric acid in the body, maintaining a balanced level of uric acid is the best treatment and preventative measure for it.

Some strategies for maintaining a normal uric acid level include avoiding alcohol dependence, liver disease, and obesity, as well as ensuring good nutrition (especially getting enough protein) and the proper use of medications - your doctor can advise you about this.