Arthritis Exercises: Great For You And Easy To Do
When you suffer from arthritis and joint pain, the last thing you may want to do is move around and exercise, but believe it or not, that is the best prescription to keep your joints flexible and to reduce discomfort.
Exercises to reduce pain in your joints need not be complicated and most you can do right in the comfort of your own home. Once you understand the basic components of the types of movements that will bring relief to your joints, you can easily put together a routine to keep limber and reduce pain.
You'll find three major types of arthritis exercise out there. Range-of-motion or flexibility exercises, strengthening exercises, and overall fitness exercises are the three kinds. Each type of exercise has its place in your overall health, but you'll find that range-of-motion exercises will help your stiff joints the most. Your range of motion is the amount of movement that is comfortable for you.
It may take some time to limber up joints that have become swollen and painful, but gentle and patient movements will eventually greatly improve your mobility on these joints. Some of the easy exercises that you can utilize to improve flexibility are: hip lifts, lower back rotations, back press and release, elbow bends, arm reaches and extensions, and finger tip curls.
When you and your doctor decide on an appropriate routine for you, to reap the most benefit of these exercises, aim to complete it twice a day. Try to do each exercise for 3 to 10 repetitions. Be sure to move slowly, and complete each movement in a steady manner-never bounce or lurch.
Many people forget to breathe when they do exercises for arthritis. It can help to count your breaths out loud as you go. It will be normal to feel some discomfort at first, but always stop exercising if you experience intense pain.
Many people believe that climbing stairs, getting dressed, cooking, and other similar household tasks will provide the same benefits as exercise. However, while it is important that people with arthritis continue their usual routines, there is no substitute for the types of movements found in exercises specifically designed to reduce the effects of joint pain.
Exercise may be one of the best treatments for those who suffer from arthritis and joint pain. Although it may not sound like a pleasant prospect, getting those joints moving increases flexibility and will reduce discomfort in the long run. You do not need to leave your home or learn complicated routines to reduce the pain in your joints. The movements that will ease your pain are very simple and can be learned very quickly. It is easy to devise a routine that will keep your joints from hurting and keep them flexible enough for you to go about your everyday activities. The author recommends Flex Protex to aid with joint discomfort.
Published March 5th, 2008