General Tips On Exercises For Arthritis

In my last post, I talked about relaxation exercises for arthritis pain relief, and the help that they can give to the sufferer. Today I’ll go over exercises in general which can be an aid in reducing pain. There’s no doubt that if you do enough exercise you’ll be able to do more things, feel generally better, and some maintain, have a longer life. I know that for many who live daily with severe pain that exercise is probably the last thing on their minds, but for those with arthritis, it really can be important. It helps to decrease pain, gives you extra energy, and keeps your joints strong.

Nowadays, it must be said, the majority of folk do not exercise enough. Our way of life really doesn’t do anything to encourage it. We can sit in our living room with the computer or watching the telly, a lot of work is carried out whilst sitting in offices, and we tend to use a car for getting from A to B, even if the places are within walking distance. If we only realised how good exercise can actually be for us, we’d certainly do more of it for enjoyment, and not as a dull, routine bore.

I’ve mentioned in an earlier post, but I’ll repeat, that exercise can make our joints more supple, and our muscles stronger. Our bones as well will be stronger, which is a great help in warding off osteoporosis. Your balance will improve, you’ll have reduced stress (and weight!), and your sleep patterns will take a turn for the better.The reduction in weight mentioned above is important, as it will mean less pressure on your hips, knees, feet, and back. Obesity can increase the chances of developing osteoarthritis of the knee, and can also result in getting other conditions, such as diabetes. A proper and healthy diet is conducive to losing weight, but exercise can be just as important. It will certainly not make your arthritis worse, if you carry out suitable exercises, using the correct techniques. As I’ve mentioned in an earlier article, you should decide at the outset which time of the day suits you best—everyone is different in this respect, maybe because of commitments, or when pain is at a certain level. If you decide to attend a class for your exercises, try to find one that’s held at a convenient time to fit in with your lifestyle.

When, not if, you begin doing exercises, you will maybe feel some discomfort, most likely because you are using muscles that have lain dormant for some time. This is normal, but if you still feel some pain a couple of hours after exercising, then it’s possible that you might have overdone things, a sign that you should take things easier the next time out. Of course, if you have continual pain, or you notice a swelling of any joints, it’s a good idea to consult a doctor. If you are suffering from rheumatoid arthritis or lupus, there can be times when the pain or swelling is decidedly worse. During such a flare-up, it’s important that you do not give up your exercises completely, but to cut out the more strenuous ones. When the flare-up shows signs of improvement, you can slowly begin to build up to your previous level of exercise.

If you miss out on doing your regular exercises, for whatever reason, try to get back into the habit as soon as possible. Keep in mind that muscles tend to lose strength in a much shorter period of time than it takes to build them up again. Once you notice an improvement, make sure that you do not stop. You really have to carry on if you want to maintain long term benefits.