Can Exercise Help Arthtitis?
James Bartell
Oftentimes people with arthritis find it challenging to perform certain types of exercise. Due to inflammation in the joints it can be difficult to perform traditional types of exercise, such as walking or lifting weights.
Normally, a health practitioner will provide a comprehensive arthritis treatment plan if and when you are diagnosed with arthritis. This plan includes various types of exercise as well as dietary restrictions and benefits. Foods known to increases arthritis symptoms include red meat, food additives, dairy products, and processed foods.
Yoga, tai chi, water aerobics, muscle strengthening, and weight training are the most popular arthritis exercises. Also included are range-of-motion exercises lik dance, and endurance exercises like cycling.
In order to avoid further aggravating your arthritis symptoms, speak with your doctor before starting a new exercise routine to make sure it's best for you.
Nowadays, most of the major insurance companies provide their members with discounts to health clubs. Some even offer discounts on health products such as exercise videos and dietary supplements. Oftentimes policyholders are not aware of these discounts, so be certain to check with your insurance carrier to see if they offer these types of discounts.
Along with health products, many health clubs offer a 50% discount to different insurance members, and sometimes even offer private personal training sessions. Many personal trainers are well-versed in finding an ideal arthritic exercise program for their clients. Personal trainers are not normally covered by insurance, though, and must be paid by out-of-pocket expenses.
The YWCA and YMCA are also known for offering activities like water aerobics. Water aerobics have been shown to decrease arthritis pain, and can be performed by nearly everyone. It's very gentle and involves sitting in a shallow pool while conducting resistance activities.
No matter which arthritis exercise you choose, you should always apply heat to sore joints to help make them more flexible. The heat should be applied for typically 5 to 15 minutes at a time.
Before starting your routine and after you apply heat to your joints, you should perform gentle stretching exercises. Post-exercise, place cold packs on your sore joints to help reduce inflammation.
It's important to choose an exercise program that you enjoy and one that does not cause you intense pain. If you dislike the form of exercise or if it causes an increase in pain, chances are you will not stick with the program.
Denise Smith posts information and resources on her website about (
http://www.arthritismadepainless.info/ ) Arthritis, and you can read more about (
http://www.arthritismadepainless.info/2007/09/19/arthritis-exercises/) Arthritis Exercises
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