| Arthritis is a condition that can cause stiffness, | | | | osteoporosis. Lifting weights is a beneficial |
| pain and swelling in joints and other supporting | | | | exercise for arthritis and for joint support. Physical |
| structures of the body such as bones, muscles, | | | | therapy and exercise reduces joint pain and |
| tendons, and ligaments. Some forms of arthritis | | | | stiffness, builds strong muscle around the joints, |
| may affect other parts of the body, including | | | | and increases flexibility, muscle strength, cardiac |
| various internal organs. There are many different | | | | fitness, and endurance. |
| types of arthritis including osteoarthritis | | | | Some of the exercises prescribed for people with |
| (degenerative joint disease), rheumatoid arthritis | | | | arthritis:o Range-of-motion exercises (stretching or |
| psoriatic arthritis gouty arthritis and septic arthritis | | | | flexibility exercises)o Strengthening exerciseso |
| Arthritis can affect anyone at any age. Arthritis | | | | Water exerciseso Recreational exerciseso |
| treatment often includes physical therapy and | | | | Endurance or aerobic exercises |
| exercise. Physical therapy and exercise can help | | | | Physical therapy and exercise helps to:o Maintain |
| arthritis sufferers in many ways. The primary goal | | | | normal joint movemento Strengthen muscles |
| is to improve functional capacity to help reduce | | | | around the jointso Strengthen and maintain bone |
| pain and fatigue associated with daily activities. | | | | and cartilage tissueo Improve overall ability to do |
| Increasing the range of motion of a joint is the | | | | everyday activitieso Maintain weight to reduce |
| primary focus of physical therapy. | | | | pressure on jointso Keep bone and cartilage tissue |
| Physical therapy and exercise for arthritis focuses | | | | strong and healthy |
| on pain relief, and in restoring function and | | | | Depending on the severity of arthritis, a physical |
| movement. Physical therapy programs may | | | | therapist may suggest either isometric or isotonic |
| provide therapeutic methods, including physical | | | | exercises. A combination of manual physical |
| techniques and activity modifications. A physical | | | | therapy and exercise is more effective to reduce |
| therapy program consisting of manual therapy | | | | pain, dysfunction and stiffness in patients with |
| and exercise benefits patients with arthritis. | | | | osteoarthritis of the knee. |
| Gentle exercise helps to prevent bone loss and | | | | |