How to beat arthritis pain
Arthritis patients who stop exercising due to achy knees and joints could be worsening their condition
When a person avoids exercise, joints become less mobile and the surrounding muscles shrink, causing increased fatigue and pain.
According to the December issue of Mayo Clinic Women’s HealthSource , regular, modest exercise improves joint stability and strengthens muscles.
Exercise also improves mood, sleep, energy levels and day-to-day functioning. People with arthritis who exercise regularly report less pain.
A variety of activities that can help people with arthritis, include:
Range-of-motion and flexibility exercises: Activities such as yoga and tai chi increase joint mobility. Doing range-of-motion exercises in the evening can reduce joint stiffness the next morning.
Low-impact aerobics : Aerobic exercise improves overall fitness and endurance as well as muscle function and joint stability. Low-impact options include water aerobics, swimming, bicycling, walking or using equipment such as treadmills and elliptical trainers.
Strengthening : Strength training builds the muscles around the joints to provide better support. These exercises may be done with one’s own body weight for resistance, with hand-held weights, resistance bands or weight machines.
Lifestyle: Many everyday activities – gardening and housework – provide the health benefits of moderate physical activities
