Exercises for Arthritis
Don’t let arthritis get in the way of your fitness goals.
If you don’t think you can exercise with arthritis, you need to adjust your mindset. Exercising helps relieve pain as well as provides a boost of endorphins. You merely need to be mindful of your body so you can work out safely with the arthritic barriers of pain, stiffness, and fatigue.
Before you grab your gym bag, take care of yourself and practice some due diligence. See your doctor to determine which exercises will be the most beneficial to you. Some exercises and movements should be avoided or included in your fitness regimen to maintain optimal health.
There are a few things to consider when you embark on your active journey:
- Keep your limitations in mind.
- Stay consistent with your routine and try to be active every day; this will strengthen your muscles which help control the pain and swelling in your joints.
- Always warm up properly; during exercise, your body will move with greater ease and decrease your risk of injury.
The best exercises for arthritis will be in flexibility and range of motion, strengthening, and aerobic or endurance exercises. The breakdown below shows the top eight exercises which can be modified for people with arthritis.
1. Tai Chi
This ancient Chinese martial art form is one of the best workouts you can do with arthritis. With gentle and deliberate movements strengthening your muscles and improving balance, this regimen checks all the boxes.
Tai chi helps protect joints, and better balance prevents falls. The meditative flow of movement improves your circulation and helps release pain as well as reduces stress. You can move at your own pace and, since there isn’t any equipment needed, you can do it anywhere.
Resources
Arthritis-Health (Exercising with Arthritis)Up to Date (Patient Education: Arthritis and Exercise (Beyond the Basics)Natural Arthritis Treatments (6 Awesome Benefits of Pilates in Arthritis)Arthritis Foundation (Water Walking 101)Arthritis Foundation (Stationary Bike)
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