| Stretching, low impact aerobics, yoga, and strength | | | | it provides an all-round workout. |
| training can play a part in the treatment of | | | | Yoga combines stretching with gentle strength |
| rheumatoid arthritis. Regular exercise can help joint | | | | training by using your own body weight. Yoga aids in |
| mobility and strengthen the muscles surrounding the | | | | joint mobility, posture, physical alignment, and balance |
| joints, further protecting them. Exercising regularly | | | | as well as strengthening muscles and improving |
| can relieve some of the pain associated with | | | | overall flexibility. Because of yoga's meditative aspect |
| rheumatoid arthritis and increase the ability to cope | | | | it can also be a psychological aid to arthritis sufferers, |
| with this chronic disease. | | | | helping reduce any frustration, anxiety and stress |
| Stretching is an important part of any exercise | | | | which those coping with chronic pain may feel. |
| routine, it makes the joints ready for further effort | | | | Those suffering from rheumatoid arthritis may have |
| and improves flexibility, circulation, and muscle | | | | become inactive due to pain and physically weaker |
| co-ordination. Stretching can lengthen and strengthen | | | | due to lost muscle mass. Strength or resistance |
| the muscles giving the bones and joints they | | | | training can help rebuild the muscles which provide |
| surround better support and greater protection. | | | | support and protection to aching joints. By building |
| Some stretches can target specific joints which are | | | | muscle, sufferers may reduce pain and become |
| affected by arthritis and may help to ease stiffness | | | | strong and able to perform physical tasks once more. |
| and pain. | | | | Regular low impact exercises can assist in the |
| Rheumatoid arthritis sufferers can benefit from low | | | | treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Regular exercise |
| impact aerobic exercises, such as walking and | | | | can increase mobility, flexibility, strength and |
| swimming. Gentle cardiovascular workouts can | | | | co-ordination as well as improve well-being. Any |
| improve circulation as well as add to the mobility of | | | | exercise program should be developed in consultation |
| joints. Swimming, in particular, is useful for arthritis | | | | with a medical practitioner. |
| sufferers as joints are under less stress in water and | | | | |