Arthritis Exercise

Essential Fatty Acids For Arthritis Pain

Essential fatty acids (EFA) provide protection for the whole body. In particular it is effective in reducing inflammation as .....

Research has show that one of the best treatments for arthritis sufferers is exercise. Exercising strengthens the muscles which contributes to reduced stress on the joints. This then leads to improving the strength of the bones and health and flexibility of the connecting cartilage tissue.

For most arthritis patients the recommendation is to get a minimum of 30 minutes of activity a day. Of course you should talk to your doctor before beginning any new exercise program to make sure there are no unforeseen risks.

Regardless of the type of exercise you want to undertake all sessions should start with a warm-up session. Mild stretching is recommended as the best way to warm up. This will help you prepare for more strenuous exercises by getting your body moving, and helping you to relax and ease tension from your body. Good range of motion exercises include yoga and tai chi. Range of motion exercises can be done in a pool, hot tub, warm bath or on dry land. Increase the length of time performing range of motion exercises until you are able to 15 minutes continuously. At that point additional aerobic and strengthening exercises can be added.

Arthritis Exercise Part 2

Part 1

In the first article or this series .....

One of the most underrated exercises, but typically one of the best, is walking. Walking is an excellent exercise for improving the symptoms of arthritis. Adding weights as little as one pound and using your arms as you walk can involve the whole body. The best way to stay motivated is to make walking an interesting exercise. Walk through different parks, change the route that you take, walk through the local mall or shopping district. And one of the best ways to keep the motivation up is to walk with a friend. That way you can encourage each other.

Aquatic exercise is another excellent way to improve your flexibility and relieve your arthritis symptoms. Since water can provide both warmth for the joints and support for the body, it help provide strength training for arthritis patients without the stress on the joints that jogging brings. Additionally, aquatic exercise can get your entire body involved which gives the added benefit of cardiovascular exercise. Heated pools or spas provide the best environment for arthritis patients to do aquatic exercise. The warm water helps to relax the muscles which then makes it easier to exercise. Furthermore, warm water increases blood circulation by causing the blood vessels to dilate.

Many people do not have easy access to a pool, but fortunately spas are also a good choice for people with arthritis. Spas enable higher heat than a pool which, along with the spa's water jets, can provide additional relief to aching joints. Many exercises can be performed in a spa, or the spa can be used after your workout to provide soothing heat to the joints, while helping increase the blood circulation.

Additional options for exercise include yoga. In general, yoga is known in the West as a group of pose oriented stretching exercises. Practitioners of yoga extol it as being beneficial for increasing flexibility and reducing mental and physical stress. Yoga classes are frequently offered through local community colleges or community organizations.