Exercise to Treat Arthritis: What You Need to Know

Range-of-motion exercises, hydrotherapy, and endurance exercises are some of the most important exercises for treating arthritis. 

FREMONT, CA: Although medication is commonly used to treat arthritis, a personalized arthritis exercise program can help diminish pain and fatigue while also preserving joint structure and function. Arthritis-related stiffness, discomfort, and swelling can significantly decrease joint range of motion. Avoiding physical activity due to pain or discomfort may lead to muscle loss and severe weight gain. Exercise, as part of an extensive arthritis treatment strategy, can increase joint mobility, muscular strength, and general physical conditioning while also helping individuals maintain a healthy weight. Once patients know what type of arthritis they have and their symptoms, they and their doctor or physical therapist can work together to establish a balanced physical activity program that will lessen the destructive effects of arthritis and promote maximum health.

A personalized program incorporating various activities, including range-of-motion, strengthening, and endurance, helps alleviate arthritic symptoms and prevents joints from further damage. Exercise can also help with:

    ●   Increase muscular flexibility and strength.

    ●   Ensure that bone and cartilage tissue remains strong and healthy.

    ●   Help to preserve normal joint movement.

    ●   Maintaining weight helps to alleviate pressure on joints.

    ●   mproves endurance and cardiovascular fitness.

People with arthritis frequently keep their affected joints bent to reduce discomfort, particularly those in the knees, hands, and fingers, because it is more comfortable in that posture. Although this may momentarily reduce discomfort, keeping a joint in the same position for an extended period of time might result in permanent loss of mobility and impair the ability to conduct daily activities. Range-of-motion exercises, often known as stretching or flexibility exercises, help to maintain proper joint function by developing and retaining joint mobility and flexibility. This collection of exercises involves gently straightening and bending the joints as far as they can comfortably go. During a range-of-motion workout regimen, the joints are gradually stretched until they reach and maintain normal or near-normal range. This helps to keep individuals comfortable while still preserving function.

Range-of-motion exercises are important warm-ups and stretching that should be performed before engaging in strength or endurance exercises or any other physical activity. A doctor or physical therapist can teach patients how to undertake range-of-motion exercises.

Hydrotherapy, often known as "aqua therapy" (water therapy), is a series of exercises conducted in a large pool. Aqua therapy may be easier on joints since the buoyancy of water relieves some of the weight off aching joints while providing resistance training.

Strong muscles help keep weak joints stable and pleasant while protecting them from additional harm. As part of individuals' arthritis treatment, they may benefit from a strengthening exercise program targeting specific muscle groups.