Can Exercise Help Arthtitis?
Oftentimes people with arthritis find it challenging to perform certain types of exercise. Due to inflammation in the joints it can be difficult to perform traditional types of exercise, such as walking or lifting weights.
Typically, when you are diagnosed with arthritis your healthcare practitioner will provide you with a comprehensive arthritis treatment plan that includes various types of arthritis exercises. This plan will also include any dietary restrictions and inform you of the various types of food known to reduce arthritis pain. Generally, this arthritis treatment plan will also include a list of foods known to aggravate arthritis symptoms such as red meat, dairy products, food additives, and processed foods.
Some of the most popular exercises for arthritis are cycling, dance, yoga, water aerobics, tai chi, muscle strenthening, and weight training.
It’s best to talk with your healthcare practitioner before starting an exercise program because it’s unknown whether a certain exercise routine will aggravate your arthritis symptoms.
Nowadays, most of the major insurance companies provide their members with discounts to health clubs. Some even offer discounts on health products such as exercise videos and dietary supplements. Oftentimes policyholders are not aware of these discounts, so be certain to check with your insurance carrier to see if they offer these types of discounts.
In addition, many health clubs offer up to a 50 percent discount to certain insurance members. The majority of these clubs offer private sessions with a qualified exercise trainer. Many of these trainers are well-versed in helping clients develop an arthritis exercise program suited to their needs. Typically, the cost of a personal trainer is not covered and will be an out-of-pocket expense.
The YWCA and YMCA are also known for offering activities like water aerobics. Water aerobics have been shown to decrease arthritis pain, and can be performed by nearly everyone. It’s very gentle and involves sitting in a shallow pool while conducting resistance activities.
Heat is very benficial to sore joints, so it should be applied to joints regardless of the type of exercise program. Heat will make joints more flexible and should be applied for 5 to 15 minutes at a time.
After applying heat, you will want to perform gentle stretching exercises before and after the routine. Upon completion of the work-out, apply cold packs to sore joints to help reduce inflammation.
It’s important to choose an exercise program that you enjoy and one that does not cause you intense pain. If you dislike the form of exercise or if it causes an increase in pain, chances are you will not stick with the program.
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