Arthritis Exercises, Products and Support

What Exercises Are Safe?

Researchers at the Arthritis Foundation and sports medicine doctors agree that when it comes to controlling arthritis pain, a proper exercise regimen can reduce the weight of the patient which alleviates all the symptoms.

Depending on the specific areas where the patient is experiencing joint pain, there are any number of exercises that may help. Remember: it is critically important for any patient that they exercise carefully and in a manner that does not exacerbate their osteoarthritis. Any high-impact workouts that affect the joint currently inflamed must be careful.

The best exercises for patients undergoing treatment for arthritis are low-impact exercises such as walking, cycling, and swimming. It is important to remember to start out slowly for workouts that are no longer than 30 minutes at a time no more than five times per week.

Stabilizing and reducing body weight will reduce the stress put on your affected joints, thus reducing wear on the cartilage and tension on your tendons and muscles.

Arthritis: What Works?

When it comes to arthritis, there are very few options that work to control arthritis like weight control, exercise and rest. However, if necessary, there are therapeutic support devices that can benefit arthritis sufferers.

Knee braces are helpful, specifically because they reduce the load bearing weight off of the knees and allow the patient be more fully mobile as they walk. Since the knees are a specific area that is effected by load bearing weight, the degeneration of the knee cartilage is something that accumulates over time causing extreme pain to the tendons, muscles and bone.

Canes and walker can also reduce a significant amount of pressure on the leg joints as they support and allow for exercise and improved mobility – two things that help with arthritis.

Where Can I Turn for Support?

With the millions of American citizens that suffer from arthritis and its painful symptoms, any patient can take some small comfort in realizing that they are not alone.

Because arthritis is a disease that affects young and old in a number of ways that are often times passive, often when at home. To fight the loneliness and depression that comes with a chronic arthritic condition, the Arthritis Foundation is a non-profit organization that has been formed to assist those who suffer from arthritis.

The Arthritis Foundation has created an organization that recognizes the special needs for therapy and have created support groups and specialized support structures to assist those that are currently suffering with any number of arthritis conditions. They also bring much needed resources and information to families and friends of patients who are often unfamiliar with the nature and symptoms of most types of arthritis.

Often times hospitals will create and sponsor therapeutic support groups for those suffering with arthritis, as well as senior centers and senior organizations. Check local newspapers for information on when and where these groups meet and how to join them.