Apart
from the regular medication, proper diet, rest and relaxation, doctors also recommend
arthritis exercises. These are specially designed exercises for people with different
types of arthritis. Exercising is a must do for all people suffering of arthritis
because it will help them increase the flexibility of the joints, increase bone
vigor, muscle strength and energy levels, so they will have a better control of
their weight and a strong heart. But most of all, exercising will help keep joints
completely movable and will fortify the adjacent muscles. This way, arthritis
sufferers will experience less pain when performing the everyday activities. So
it is fair to say that arthritis exercises are strongly recommended for arthritis
patients by all the doctors in the world.
But
depending on the type of arthritis one person might have, the doctor will recommend
a certain type of exercises. People should not choose the exercises program on
their own; instead, always ask your doctor what exercises are recommended for
their type of arthritis. Depending on the severity of the condition and which
joints are affected, the doctor will propose a certain type of exercising program.
There
are three types of exercises: range of motion, strengthening and endurance. Range
of motion exercises, for example dancing, are the ones that move the joints in
all directions, as far as possible. These are the easiest type of exercises recommended
for all types of arthritis because they will keep the joints mobile and will prevent
stiffness. Doctors advise their patients to perform a range of motion exercises
every day, or at least every other day. The number and intensity of exercises
can be gradually increased as the patient gets in shape.
Strengthening
exercises include isometric and isotonic movements. Isometric exercises are the
ones that work the muscles without moving the joints, while isotonic exercises
work both the muscles and the joints. Both types of movements help with building
strong muscles around the joints that are causing problems. Stronger muscles will
better support the joints, meaning pain will be reduced and the patient will move
more easily. Unless the patient has swelled joints or severe pains, the doctor
suggests doing strengthening exercises every other day.
Endurance
exercises are the ones that improve the cardiovascular condition by increasing
the heart rate for at least 20-30 minutes. Not all arthritis patients can perform
endurance exercises. Depending on the patient's age and physical condition, the
doctor will recommend or not endurance exercises and also the type of exercises.
Walking, bicycling or swimming are the best choices because their joints are not
that stressed by these type of activities. For example, making exercises in warm
water will help in two ways: the warm water will aid by decreasing the pain and
relaxing the muscles, and at the same time the water will be supporting the body,
this way placing less stress on the joints. Endurance exercises should be performed
three times a week for about 20-30 minutes.
There
are also other types of simple exercises that can be done by all arthritis patients.
The every day activities can be easily transformed into arthritis exercises. In
the morning when you get up and get dressed, try to amplify your movements, this
way the morning stiffness of your joints will rapidly disappear. Also, take every
chance to do some household activities like: wash the car or do the dishes because
these movements will help decrease the pain from your joints. When you watch television,
during the commercial breaks get up of your chair and do something; even small
movements burn calories and help you reduce your weight. You can also park your
car a little further away from office or home as walking will do you good.
Before
beginning an arthritis exercises program, always consult an experienced doctor
or a physical therapist. They are the ones that can advise what exercises are
recommended for specific types of arthritis. They can suggest a particular type
of exercises for inflamed and swollen joints or certain exercises for particular
joints. The exercising program should be started with easy exercises, but the
difficulty of the movements should be gradually increased. The patient should
also be careful to thoroughly warm up before starting the exercises and cool down
after finishing the program.
Although
exercising is good for arthritis patients, occasionally some people can get into
some uncomfortable conditions: augmented weakness, constant fatigue, joint swelling
or pain that lasts more than one hour after exercises are finished. This means
that exercises are too strenuous and the patient should talk to his doctor and
make the necessary changes in his exercises program. After finding the ideal arthritis
exercises program, the only thing that patients have to do is to strictly follow
it and the improvements will soon appear.
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