Exercise For Arthritis

Probably the last thing you feel like doing is exercise when you're feeling stiff and sore! However, apart from your diet, exercise for arthritis for is arguably the most important thing you can do to help you feel better, both physically and mentally.

There are many physical benefits. Most importantly exercise strengthens your muscles, making them better able to support your joints.

The old thinking was that exercises for arthritis put excessive strain on arthritic joints. Nowadays we realize that regular gentle exercise can actually strengthen the joints, lubricate the cartilage and relieve stiffness. Not only that but exercise also goes a long way to preventing bone loss and osteoporosis.

You'll also be improving your general health if you exercise for arthritis. It doesn't matter which type of arthritis you have, you will feel better and more able to cope. Exercise increases cardiac fitness and draws oxygen into the bloodstream keeping the cells of your body operating at optimal levels.

So if you're feeling a bit depressed (and who isn't sometimes?), exercise can really help by creating and releasing endorphins into the bloodstream. Endorphins are naturally produced chemicals that are released during exercise that help elevate your mood.

Sleep may be another area in which arthritis sufferers may have problems. There are two way exercise can enhance sleep. Fresh air will make you feel pleasantly drowsy at the end of the day and sunshine can reset your body rhythm ensuring natural healthy sleep. As a bonus any stress or anxiety will melt away when you exercise for arthritis, increasing your feeling of well being.

Arthritis exercise programs.

Whatever form your arthritis exercise program takes, any activity needs to be balanced with periods of rest. Too much vigorous activity could actually do more harm than good and may put you off for life! Exercise for the elderly with arthritis needs to be introduced very slowly. The best type of exercise to start with is stretching to increase your range of motion. This will slowly get your body used to exercising and build up your flexibility. Yoga or qigong are good examples of stretching exercises.

Stretching can be done every day. When you're feeling fitter and more confident, you can add walking to your routine. Walking is a gentle endurance exercise and probably one of the best exercises for arthritis you can do.

A more vigorous form of endurance exercise is cycling, either on the road or on a stationary bike. Start gradually and build up your times to thirty minutes a session, if you feel up to it, or simply continue walking. Endurance exercises are best done three to four times a week.

Strengthening exercises, such as lifting weights, will build up the strength in your muscles fast and are a fantastic exercise for arthritis and for joint support. Strengthening exercises blend well with walking as they can include the arms and torso which don't get much of a work out while walking.

Swimming is a good all round exercise for arthritis. It needs to be combined with walking though, as swimming alone can't build bone strength.

So help yourself feel better and start an arthritis exercise program. Get the go ahead from your doctor before starting and remember start slowly! If you notice any pain, joint swelling or extreme fatigue, stop exercising and take it a bit easier in future.

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