Exercise Is Essential for Managing Arthritis

Exercise Is Essential for Managing Arthritis By Carol Eustice According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), "Long gone are the days when health care providers told people with arthritis to 'rest their joints'. In fact, physical activity can reduce pain and improve function, mobility, mood, and quality of life for most adults with many types of arthritis including osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, and lupus. Physical activity can also help people with arthritis manage other chronic conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, and obesity." Despite that, more than one third of people with arthritis get no exercise. Many feel that they can't do enough to make a difference. Any movement is better than none. Exercise Is Essential for Arthritis  Exercise is important for healthy joints and managing arthritis. Moving your joints daily helps to maintain or improve range of motion. Strengthening the surrounding muscles helps to support the joints. READ NOW What Is Limited Range of Motion?  A joint holds the ends of two bones together and allows for movement of the skeleton. The normal movement of a joint is referred to as normal range of motion (ROM). With arthritis, range of motion can become limited. Exercise helps to preserve normal ROM. READ NOW Physical Activity and Exercise  Although all exercise is physical activity, not all physical activity is technically considered to be exercise. For people with arthritis, any type of physical activity is better than none. READ NOW Physical Therapy Must Be Discussed by Patients and Doctors  Physical therapy is not for everyone, but it seems many who could benefit from it are missing the boat. A discussion about physical therapy should take place between every arthritis patient and their doctor. READ NOW Joining a Fitness Club or Gym Can Benefit People With Arthritis  Even with the realization that exercise is beneficial, many people with arthritis have a hard time sticking with an exercise regimen—especially a home exercise program which they guide themselves. Joining a fitness club or gym may help you make the commitment to exercise. READ NOW Advertisement READ THESE NEXT Why Wives Put up With A "Culture of Adultery" in Professional Sports What's Your Fitness Personality? Could You Have Fibromyalgia? Understanding Insomnia Do You Have What It Takes to Pass Psychology 101? What Does Your Diet Say About You? Are You as Fit as You Think You Are? How Well Do You Know the Stage of Psychosocial Development? AN ABOUT.COM BRAND You are receiving this newsletter because you subscribed to the Arthritis & Joint Conditions newsletter. If you wish to unsubscribe, please click here 1500 Broadway, 6th Floor, New York, NY, 10036 © 2016 Verywell.com - All rights reserved. Privacy Policy.