Arthritis can be unbearable for many, as it saps away your physical and mental energy due to chronic pain. The inflammation around the joint and other connective tissues leaves one with stiff and aching joints.
Nevertheless, one needs to stay active as reduced activity will only weaken the muscles and destabilize the skeletal system. Explore rheumatology services in Orlando to learn how regular exercises can help with chronic pain and help heal the body.
Staying active with arthritis does not mean joining a gym and sweat it out every day. Even simple everyday activities like hiking, gardening, walking can help a lot.
Here are some tips on how to stay active even with arthritis.
Walk Every Day
Go for a brisk walk every day, even if it is a short walk around the block or to the local grocery store. As walking is helpful for knee, hip, and back pain, you are sure to get some relief.
Swim
Swimming is the number one exercise that is highly recommended to arthritis patients. So, if you enjoy swimming, just go for it, and one can even perform aerobics in the water.
Yoga
Join a yoga class, as this is an excellent form of exercise for people with arthritis as it allows them a full range of motion. Those basic exercises or stretches can work wonders for your muscles and joints.
Pilates
Like yoga, Pilates is also a great exercise for arthritis as it does not place any stress on the joints or forces them into awkward positions. Those exercises, in fact, align your joints and help you perform the exercises better because of a good alignment.
Gardening
Develop a hobby such as gardening or pottery making that will keep your body and mind busy. You can join any activity that will help you with your condition. Even doing housework can work as an enjoyable activity for some.
Cycling
Cycling is another suitable aerobic exercise for arthritis patients, who can benefit from the leg resistance and strengthening exercises and improve their muscle condition. Just go at your own pace and don’t overexert yourself.
Strength Training
Strength training can strengthen your muscles, and all you need to do is lift some weights. There are a ton of exercises that one can do to strengthen both their upper and lower body, such as squats, planks, push-ups, abdominal crunches, and more.
Just keep in mind that if the pain increases after exercising or any activity, you should stop. Try to do something a bit gentler and progress to the high level once you have developed the strength and stamina. It is strongly advised to stay away from high-impact sports that can further stress the joints and aggravate the pain.
Here are some more tips for arthritis patients:
- Consult your doctor before starting any exercise program.
- Take a break in case of severe pain but don’t give up on an exercise plan.
- Accept that some days will be bad and just keep with the activity plan.
- Eat healthy, stay positive and drink plenty of water.
- Carry proper equipment for your exercise or activity.
*collaborative post
