| If you are worried about arthritis pain, there are | | | | push the muscles too hard. Exercise at a low or |
| many ways to combat its effects. Thermal wraps | | | | medium intensity until your muscles become used |
| to help relieve the pain experienced during or | | | | to it. |
| after exercise. Always talk to your doctor about | | | | As you exercise, pace yourself. Take 5 minutes |
| starting an exercise program and ask them for | | | | to warm up and 5 minutes to cool down. If your |
| safety tips. If you have a medical condition like | | | | heart starts to race or you feel like you are |
| diabetes and high blood pressure, your doctor | | | | about to pass out, lay down and breathe for a |
| may need to recommend against certain exercise | | | | few minutes. Deep breathing is a great way to |
| routines. | | | | cool down your nervous system and it can help |
| What types of exercises are safe for elderly | | | | you get through the exercise program easier. |
| patients? | | | | Exercise help |
| Moderate exercise is recommended for elderly | | | | Always take care of your body both during and |
| patients. From 30 minutes of brisk walking to | | | | after you exercise. It is not always going to be as |
| going for a daily bike ride, there are wonderful | | | | easy to do some of the same exercises you did |
| strength training exercises you can do that will | | | | when you were in your 20's and 30's and the day |
| improve circulation and build your muscles. During | | | | after you do some strength training exercises, |
| exercise it is important to wear well-fitting, | | | | you may feel pain. If you are feeling pain, |
| comfortable shoes. They need to provide you | | | | especially in the joints, you have pushed your |
| with plenty of support that will absorb shock and | | | | body too much. Slow down and do some lower |
| reduce the pressure and tension on your joints. | | | | intensity exercises like brisk walking. Use the |
| As you start out with exercise, begin slowly with | | | | thermal wraps to surround the joints for a couple |
| exercises that will not push your muscles too far. | | | | hours to see if this helps to relieve some of the |
| Water aerobics and yoga are great exercises for | | | | pain. Only do strength training exercises 2-3 days |
| the elderly as they don't strain the muscles. | | | | per week. If you are experiencing chest pain, |
| Water aerobics is recommended because the | | | | dizziness, nausea, or balance problems you need |
| water helps to support the joints so when you lift | | | | to contact your doctor immediately. |
| the weights up and down and do different | | | | Another thing that may help to relieve the joint |
| movements, it will not hurt your joints. | | | | pain is to soak your muscles in a warm sitz bath |
| Resistance bands are another wonderful tool to | | | | for about 20 minutes after you exercise. Having a |
| use for senior exercise because you can use | | | | hot stone massage may also help to soothe the |
| them to build up your muscles without lifting | | | | muscles and it will leave you feeling more relaxed. |
| weights. Weight lifting can cause strain on the | | | | As always, stretch both before and after you |
| muscles, which can lead to pulled muscles and | | | | exercise to prepare your muscles and to keep |
| intense pain. The one thing to remember when | | | | them loose and limber. |
| you are exercising is to be careful and do not | | | | |