| Do you ever think that exercise can help you to | | | | strengthening exercises. Your doctor will advise you |
| manage the painful condition of arthritis? Many people | | | | which exercise you should not participate. |
| believe that they should avoid exercise when their | | | | Sometimes, doctors will refer you to a physical |
| joints are in pain. They assume that exercise can | | | | therapist. This specialist will design a program just for |
| further damage their joints. However, studies today | | | | you. You will learn under the direction of the specialist |
| show that exercise can greatly benefit those with | | | | on how to |
| arthritic conditions. | | | | 1. perform correct body mechanics, |
| When you exercise, you strengthen your muscles. | | | | 2. relieve pain if it arises, |
| Strong muscles surrounding the joints can remove the | | | | 3. protect your joints, and |
| stress from the joints. By moving the joints, you also | | | | 4. save energy. |
| keep them flexible. Flexibility around joints helps to | | | | The intensity and the type of exercise are not the |
| carry nutrients and waste material to and from the | | | | same for everyone. They depend on the type of |
| cartilage, the shock absorber of the joints. Regular | | | | arthritis you have, the affected joints, degree of |
| workout reduces joint pain and stiffness, the common | | | | inflammation, and stability of joints. |
| symptoms of arthritis. | | | | Before you begin any physical exertion, you need to |
| Being overweight can aggravate an arthritic condition. | | | | warm up. If you start with cold muscles, you will |
| Regular physical exertion can help you to reduce | | | | experience more pain and sometimes injury. You can |
| weight, which takes off the unnecessary pressure at | | | | either have a warm bath or apply heat packs at the |
| the joints. Arthritis patients should manage their weight | | | | joints. This will stimulate the flow of joint fluid, which |
| through exercise. | | | | helps to lubricate the joint. |
| According to a national survey, 37 percents of arthritis | | | | If you feel the joints become painful or inflamed, |
| sufferers did not exercise even they know the | | | | reduce the intensity of the workout. Check with your |
| benefits. Why? They are afraid that they would feel | | | | doctor to determine the cause and to get rid of it. |
| the pain during the workout. Moreover, their doctors did | | | | Arthritis has more than 100 types. Each exercise is |
| not advise them on exercise programs that can help | | | | different for each arthritic condition. You need the |
| them to manage the pain. | | | | expertise of the doctors and physical therapists to |
| If you are seriously planning to exercise, you need to | | | | recommend exercises that can treat your specific |
| consult your doctor who knows the type of exercises | | | | arthritic condition. They can also suggest exercises to |
| that is right for your arthritic state. Usually, you will start | | | | relieve painful joints. Some exercises are not suitable |
| with range-of-motion exercises and low-impact | | | | for certain type of arthritis. Therefore, always consult |
| aerobics. Then you will gradually progress to | | | | your doctor first begin you begin any program. |