| Arthritis pain can be alleviated in many ways. | | | | late to begin. However, at this point you will have to |
| Although it may sound unusual, exercise is a very | | | | begin your exercise routine with the goal of not |
| important treatment for arthritis. Arthritis causes | | | | aggravating the joints affected by arthritis and |
| stiffness and pain in the joints - arthritis exercises can | | | | causing the symptoms to worsen. The most |
| help relieve the stiffness, which will help lessen the | | | | important types of exercises for arthritis suffers |
| pain. Exercise is essential to the overall health of your | | | | are:o Range of motion - these exercises help you to |
| body. Those who adhere to a regular exercise | | | | maintain or increase flexibility by helping to maintain |
| routine are better able to fight off the effects of | | | | normal joint movement and help relieve the stiffness |
| many illnesses and are able to decrease the stiffness | | | | that can occur with arthritis.o Strengthening - these |
| and pain associated with arthritis. | | | | exercises are designed to strengthen the muscles |
| Before Arthritis | | | | around the joints so that the joints and muscles |
| Exercise is important for everyone. It is important to | | | | work together. If the muscles are weak, the joints |
| begin an exercise regimen early in life and maintain a | | | | will take all of the pressure and wear and tear of the |
| regular routine. Some of the overall benefits of | | | | joints occurs more quickly.o Endurance - these |
| exercise include:o Improves your body's ability to | | | | exercises help you to maintain overall body health |
| fight infections.o Improves sleep quality.o Helps you | | | | including weight management and cardiovascular |
| to lose weight if you are overweight.o Helps you to | | | | fitness. Extra weight on your body puts more |
| gain weight if you are underweight.o Help you to | | | | pressure on the joints causing premature wear and |
| maintain your weight if you are at a healthy weight.o | | | | tear. Keeping the blood flowing correctly helps all of |
| Keeps your blood circulating, which makes your brain | | | | your body parts work together as they should. |
| work better.o Lowers your risk of illnesses such as | | | | When you begin an arthritis exercise routine, you |
| diabetes, cancer, and heart disease. | | | | should begin slowly and build up as your body gains |
| The key to maintaining a healthy exercise regimen is | | | | strength. Listen to your body - it will let you know if |
| to know your body's limits. Over exercising can cause | | | | you are trying to do too much too soon. Here are |
| the symptoms of arthritis to begin earlier than what | | | | some pointers on getting started with your exercise |
| is normal. The key is to begin an exercise regimen | | | | regimen:o Discuss arthritis exercises with your |
| and stay consistent. | | | | physician.o Exercise under the supervision of a |
| First Signs of Arthritis | | | | physical therapist or trainer, if possible.o Warm up and |
| Even a regular exercise regimen will not completely | | | | stretch your body before you begin exercising - |
| prevent arthritis. Arthritis happens as the body ages | | | | range of motion exercises.o Start slowly - you should |
| naturally - and can occur in people who do everything | | | | begin strengthening exercises with the smallest |
| they can to take care of their bodies. When you | | | | amount of weight and build to larger amounts as |
| begin to notice the first signs of arthritis - stiffness | | | | your body can handle it.o Aerobic exercises - once |
| or pain in certain joints - you need to learn the most | | | | your body becomes accustomed to an exercise |
| effective of lessening the effects of arthritis. Arthritis | | | | regimen, add aerobic exercises in order to improve |
| exercises can help you to ease the pain and stiffness | | | | your cardiovascular health.o Recreational exercises - |
| of arthritis and prolong the need for medications. | | | | once your body becomes accustomed to an exercise |
| Some of the benefits of arthritis exercises include:o | | | | regimen and you have added aerobic exercises, you |
| Strengthens muscles around the joints.o Relieves | | | | can begin to add recreational exercises such as biking |
| joint stiffness.o Increases joint flexibility.o Increases | | | | and swimming.o Have fun - this is one of the most |
| your endurance levels.o Relieves joint pain. | | | | important aspects of your arthritis exercise regimen. |
| Beginning an Exercise Regimen in Arthritis | | | | If you choose a recreational exercise that you enjoy, |
| If you begin noticing symptoms of arthritis and you | | | | you are more likely to maintain your routine and get |
| do not have a regular exercise regimen, it is not too | | | | the most benefit. |