| Do arthritis exercises really work? This is a | | | | to help reduce the stiffness and help you regain |
| question asked every day by all people who | | | | use of the affected joint. |
| suffer from arthritis. The simple answer is yes, | | | | Strengthening exercises such as weight training |
| they do work. But as a caveat you should always | | | | help you improve your muscle tone. As you build |
| seek the advice of your doctor before beginning | | | | the strength in your muscles you will find they are |
| any exercise program. | | | | able to give more support to the affected area. |
| Before giving you the go-ahead for exercises to | | | | Aerobic exercises have many benefits. They help |
| manage your arthritis, your doctor will take | | | | with your cardio fitness and health and help keep |
| several factors into consideration. These factors | | | | your weight down. This will put less weight on |
| include your medical history, your physical fitness | | | | your joints, which will help relieve pain drastically. |
| and your overall health. The level and location of | | | | Getting Started |
| your arthritis pain will also be taken into | | | | There's nothing to be afraid of getting started on |
| consideration. The exercises prescribed will depend | | | | an arthritis exercise plan. After you have |
| on the joints affected, how much flexibility you | | | | discussed options with your doctor you can |
| have and how inflamed the area is. The | | | | develop a plan that allows you to get in some |
| prescribed exercises will also depend upon | | | | exercise every day. Most doctors will recommend |
| whether or not a replacement procedure has | | | | that you begin your exercise program with the |
| already been performed earlier. | | | | help of a physical therapist or trainer. |
| Arthritis exercises will help you recover your | | | | Before exercising it is important to apply heat to |
| flexibility. They can also help build muscle strength | | | | the affected area. This little known trick, used by |
| and relieve pain. | | | | many physical therapists, will help prepare the |
| Exercise as Part of Your Overall Treatment | | | | area for exercise. After you have applied heat |
| Some form of exercise is an important part of | | | | you can stretch all over. This warm up period is |
| any arthritis treatment plan. Your doctor will | | | | when you will incorporate your range of motion |
| should have knowledge of which exercises will | | | | exercises. |
| work best for you. He may refer you to a | | | | After warming up you can slowly begin to train |
| physical therapist for specific treatment. | | | | with weights. Do not go into this too fast. Lifting |
| Your overall treatment plan may include, in | | | | heavy weights at the beginning will only cause you |
| addition to exercise, rest, medicine, and proper | | | | more problems. Aerobic exercises should also be |
| nutrition. Your doctor will also discuss with you | | | | done only after warming up. After your workout |
| how to properly move your joints while | | | | you can apply ice to area in pain to help with pain |
| exercising. | | | | control. |
| Specific Arthritis Exercises | | | | There are many different exercises that are |
| There are three types of exercises for arthritis | | | | specific to the kind of arthritis you are suffering |
| sufferers. Range of motion exercises, | | | | from and its location. People with different forms |
| strengthening exercises and aerobic exercises are | | | | of arthritis will benefit from different exercises. |
| all considered good arthritis exercises. | | | | Your doctor will work with you to determine |
| Range of motion exercises helps you improve the | | | | which arthritis exercises will benefit you the most. |
| flexibility of the affected area. They are designed | | | | |