Exercise Improves Arthritis Symptoms to Help You Move and Feel Better

Arthritis affects more than 350 million people around the world, and it’s a leading cause of disability.

Arthritis is the swelling and tenderness of one or more of your joints. The main symptoms are joint pain and stiffness, and they usually get worse as we get older.

The good news is: Exercise can help.

In fact, “Exercise is crucial for people with arthritis,” as the Mayo Clinic puts it. Exercise improves strength and flexibility. It reduces joint pain. And it lessens fatigue.

“Even moderate exercise can ease your pain and help you maintain a healthy weight. When arthritis threatens to immobilize you, exercise keeps you moving.”

May is National Arthritis Awareness Month in the US, with messages that apply globally.

First, some statistics:

• About 53 million adults have arthritis; almost 300,000 minors (including babies) have some form of it.
• It’s the No. 1 cause of disability.
• People with osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis –two major kinds of arthritis – miss a combined 172 million workdays every year.
• 57% of adults with heart disease have arthritis.
• 52% of adults with diabetes have arthritis.
• 44% of adults with high blood pressure have arthritis.
• 36% of adults who are obese have arthritis.

Let us show you how working out improves your health and fitness – and it doesn’t have to hurt your joints. We can strengthen the muscles around your joints; improv your bone strength; give you more energy; and improve your balance.

And no, exercise won’t make the joint pain and stiffness worse. When you don’t exercise, your connective muscles get weak, putting more strain on your joints – causing more arthritis pain.

Sources: Global RA Network, The Arthritis Foundation

We have had clients in the studio that have suffered from ankylosing spondylitis, (also called rheumatoid spondylitis).   This condition is a type of arthritis of the spine. It causes swelling between your vertebrae, which are the disks that make up your spine, and in the joints between your spine and pelvis. Ankylosing spondylitis is an immune disease. The disease is more common and more severe in men. It often runs in families.

Early symptoms include back pain and stiffness. These problems often start in late adolescence or early adulthood. Over time, ankylosing spondylitis can fuse your vertebrae together, limiting movement. Symptoms can worsen,  improve or stop altogether.  Typically, a rheumatologist primarily diagnoses and treats ankylosing spondylitis.

The disease has no cure, but medicines can relieve the pain, swelling and other symptoms. Exercise can also help.

Exercise can be difficult for ankylosing spondylitis patients when they are dealing with pain and changes to their posture. However, once pain is under control, it is important to remain active and exercise. Even moderate exercise can help patients maintain a healthy weight so the joints are not subjected to unnecessary stress. Physical activity and light stretching improve the flexibility needed to lessen pain.

Slow motion or non-weight bearing exercises are often prescribed for ankylosing spondylitis patients. These include:

• Tai Chi
• Yoga
• Swimming
• Pool therapy or water therapy
• Weight training
• Biking or stationary bicycling

A certified fitness professional at Your Personal Best Training Studio can design you an effective program that both strengthens and minimizes the impact on affected joints.

NIH: National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Disease

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ankylosingspondylitis.html

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