Bookmark Website  | Free Registration  | The Team
The Lounge  | Champions  | The Wire |  Schedule |  Audio  |  Arcade  |  The Top Ten  |  Historical  |  Email  |  Video

No Pain, No Gain Isnt True For Arthritis, But Exercise Is Still Important


Recent studies have shown that exercise may acually help people with arthritis in a number of ways. It can reduce joint pain and stiffness. It can increase flexibility, muscle strength, and endurance. And it can also help with weight reduction and contribute to an improved sense of well-being.

Most comprehensive arthritis treatment plans should include an exercise regiment. Rest and relaxation, proper diet, medication, and instruction about proper use of joints and ways to conserve energy (that is, not to waste motion), as well as the use of pain relief methods should also be included in treatment plans.

What types of exercises are best for people with arthritis? Try these three:

Range-of-motion exercises to help maintain normal joint movement, relieve stiffness, and increase flexibility.

Strengthening exercises to help keep or increase muscle strength. Strong muscles help support and protect joints affected by arthritis.

Aerobic or endurance exercises to improve cardiovascular fitness, help control weight, and improve overall function. Weight control can be important to people who have arthritis because extra weight puts extra pressure on joints.

As always, people with arthritis should discuss their options with their doctors before starting on an exercise program. Easy, range-of-motion exercises and low-impact aerobics are gennerally a good way to get started. And make sure to ask your doctor about any sports or exercise programs in which you currently participate. Some programs may do more harm than good.

You should also be aware that your doctor may decide to refer you to a physical therapist. A therapist with experience in arthritis can design an appropriate home exercise program and teach you about pain-relief methods, proper body mechanics, joint protection, and conserving energy.

So what's the best way to get going?

First, always first, discuss your exercise plans with your doctor.

Next, start with supervision from a physical therapist or a qualified athletic trainer.

Apply heat to sore joints.

Stretch and warm up with range-of-motion exercises.

Start strengthening exercises slowly with small weights (a 1 or 2 pound weight can make a big difference).

Progress slowly.

Use cold packs after exercising.

Add aerobic exercise.

Ease off if joints become painful, inflamed, or red and work with your doctor to find the cause and eliminate it.

Like any exercise program, choose a program you enjoy and make it a habit.

Range-of-motion exercises should be done at least every other day. Strengthening exercises also should be done at least 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.

Additional information on arthritis and exercise can be found at the following resources:

Arthritis Foundation
The Foundation publishes a free pamphlet on exercise and arthritis and a monthly magazine for members that provides up-to-date information on all forms of arthritis.
http://www.arthritis.org

About Arthritis Today
Information on the causes, symptoms, and treatments of arthritis.
http://www.aboutarthritistoday.com/arthritisexercise/

Spondylitis Association of America (SAA)
SAA sells books, posters, videotapes, and audiotapes about exercises for people who have arthritis of the spine.
http://www.spondylitis.org

American College of Rheumatology/Association of Rheumatology Health Professionals
This association provides referrals to physical therapists who have experience designing exercise programs for people with arthritis. The organization also provides exercise guidelines developed by the American College of Rheumatology.
http://www.rheumatology.org

David Silva
About Arthritis Today
Arthritis & Exercise


MORE RESOURCES:

Exercise Important in Teens' Blood Pressure Control
ABC News
Researchers found that among nearly 1300 Canadian teenagers they followed for five years, declining exercise levels over time were linked to small increases ...

and more »


Tourism promoters lobby against drill
Las Vegas Review - Journal
On Thursday, the Senate majority leader objected to the exercise in a letter to DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano. "I am deeply sympathetic to the need of our ...
Reid objects to emergency exercise set for VegasSan Jose Mercury News
Planned Emergency Drill Prompts ConcernsKXNT
Fallout over plans for Las Vegas nuclear drillKTNV Las Vegas

all 36 news articles »


WA today

American Council on Exercise releases Wii Fit study results
Examiner.com
The American Council on Exercise (ACE) released study results last week regarding Nintendo's Wii Fit. Conducted with the help of the University of Wisconsin ...
Nintendo Wii may provide actual exercise: studyReuters
Active Video Games Count as ExerciseU.S. News & World Report
Sports Authority to sell the Wii because, well, it's an exercise deviceCrunchGear (blog)
The Money Times -HULIQ -Daily Mail
all 196 news articles »


E! Online

Jude Law throws fruit at students during exercise routines: New Yorkers ...
Examiner.com
These lucky learners have the perfect view of Jude Law as he does a daily exercise routine and plays with his son on the balcony of his apartment. ...
Jude Law hurls oranges at unwanted audience: reportAFP

all 39 news articles »


Obama, NFL players encourage kids to exercise
ProFootballTalk
All of the NFL's Thanksgiving weekend games will be used to showcase the league's efforts to combat childhood obesity and encourage exercise.

and more »


Pointless exercise
IFR Asia
Ratings agency Moody's last week modified its methodology for hybrid and subordinated debt, a move that was widely anticipated but had little impact on ...

and more »


Local Students Help Out The Community Through Exercise
WSAW
Before they donated them they were used to help build muscle, and raise awareness about the importance of exercise. "They use the can as kind of their ...

and more »


Options to Advil for pain relief
Los Angeles Times
I was disappointed that you didn't mention exercise. According to a literature review in the "Handbook of Sport Psychology," as little as 5 to 10 minutes of ...
Damp Pajamas For Eczema; Walnuts Lower CholesterolHartford Courant

all 2 news articles »


What kind of strength work won't aggravate rotator cuff issue?
CNN
What kind of exercise moves can I do instead that will get me the same sort of gains? Thanks. Hi Renee -- I commend your desire to incorporate strength ...

and more »


TRW Completes $259 Million 3.50% Exchangeable Senior Notes Offering Including ...
SYS-CON Media (press release)
By PR Newswire LIVONIA, Mich., Nov. 20 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- TRW Automotive Holdings Corp. (NYSE: TRW) (the "Company") today announced its wholly-owned ...

and more »

Google News


Advertisement



Section Site Map - Submit News - Feedback - Comments - Advertise with Us

Copyright © 2006 Luminati Inc. All rights reserved.