| ARTHRITIS
EXERCISE
The
Facts Put Simply
How
You Can Improve Your Lifestyle Through Exercise.
As
it relates to arthritis exercise; a daily
routine has been shown to reduce joint pain and stiffness, while
increasing arthritis patients flexibility, muscle strength, and
endurance.
.
| Arthritis
exercise has many
additional benefits |
It helps to:
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| What happens if you don't
exercise? |
Lack of arthritis exercise contributes to:
• Smaller and weaker muscles
• Brittle bones
• Pain
• Disfigured joints that stay in one position for so long that the
ability to straighten them may be lost
• Loss of mobility in joints that may become locked in position if they
are not routinely worked
• A feeling of malaise
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|
| What
type of arthritis
exercise program should you engage in? |
A balanced program is best and should include a combination of
exercises:
o A full range of motion exercises to help
maintain normal joint movement, increase flexibility, and relieve
stiffness. Do these every day.
o Strengthening exercises to maintain or increase muscle strength.
Strong muscles help support and protect joints affected by arthritis.
Do these at least every other day.
o Endurance exercises to improve cardiovascular fitness, help control
weight, and improve overall well-being. Do these for 20 to 30 minutes
three times a week. Swimming or water aerobics in a heated pool give
you the benefits of exercise, and working out in water relieves the
weight on sore joints.
o Taking walks. You don't have to go to a gym or work up a sweat to get
exercise that's good for your joints. Walking is a great exercise and
just about anyone can do it. Research shows those who take brief daily
walks have less morning stiffness and pain than those who do not
exercise.
o Biking. Short bike rides give you a good workout while taking the
weight off your joints. You could also buy a stationary exercise bike
to use at home.
o Lifting weights. Try exercising with small weights to increase
upper-body strength. Remember: The more you weigh, the greater the
stress on your joints, especially your hips, knees, and ankles. If you
are overweight, losing even five to ten kilos can help reduce your pain.
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| Important guidelines for all
exercise |
Before you begin an arthritis exercise program, you should
consult a physician or a physical therapist, especially if you have not
exercised in a while, have had any surgical procedures, or are over age
40.
• Always start off very gently
so you can find out how much you are
able to do without making the pain worse.
• 'Little and often' is better than the occasional exercise binge!
• Gradually make very small but regular increases in the amount of
exercise you take. If you take it too easy it will not do you much good.
• Do not worry that you might be making your arthritis worse. As long
as you start off gently, you will not.
• Be adventurous; find a form of exercise which is fun. But be
sensible; hang-gliding is probably not a good idea!
The
key is to exercise properly and in moderation, and to allow your
body time to rest between workouts. Rest is critical to restoring and
repairing joints and reducing inflammation.
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| Additional Authoritative
Health & Wellness resources |
• For more detailed information related
to comprehensive
Health
& Wellness issues; please visit www.create-health-and-wellness.com
• For comprehensive information that can take your Flexibility
to the next level so that you can improve your performance,
eradicate injury and do away with tight, stiff muscles; please visit
The Stretching
Institute at
www.TheStretchingHandBook.com .

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