According to Arthritis Australia, there are approximately 4 million individuals in Australia currently living with some form of arthritis. In other words, roughly 1 in 6 people suffer from the often debilitating pain of arthritis with this ailment costing Australians over $5 billion in 2015 as people try, often in vain, to find some treatment to reduce this pain.
However, more often than not, these treatments fall short, with continued arthritis pain forcing many to abandon some of their favourite hobbies. Often the first thing that sufferers stop doing is exercise due to the misperception that exercise will only serve to exacerbate arthritis symptoms.
The reality though is very different. Indeed, for many sufferers, the answer to managing, or even eliminating arthritis pain, is as simple as regular exercise. Indeed according to Arthritis Australia, “regular exercise is one of the most effective treatments for arthritis.” There are four main ways in which exercise can aid those with arthritis.
- Improve joint mobility and flexibility: Specially targeted stretching exercises can help free up locked joints and muscles, a common cause of pain and inconvenience.
- Strengthening muscles: Stronger muscles help support and take pressure away from arthritis affected joints,
- Strengthening bones: A properly designed resistance or weight training program can also help to strengthen bones, reducing pain in affected joints. This is important for another increasingly common ailment amongst older individuals, Osteoporosis.
- Posture and balance: As the body naturally adapts to take pressure away from affected joints, arthritis suffers often end up with postural problems which cause secondary pain in other joints. Exercise can improve posture, reducing this source of muscle tension and pain.
How much and what sort of exercise should arthritis sufferers do?
All adults, including those suffering from arthritis, should aim to do at least 30 minutes of exercise most days of the week.
There isn’t one particular exercise or activity that is recommended for all people with arthritis. However it is important to avoid high impact exercises that increase stress on affected joints, such as road running. Some low impact exercises that often prove effective are cycling (as there is no impact on the knees as the feet remain stationary on the bike pedals), walking and swimming.
Strength training is also generally found to be very helpful. However, it is important for those who suffer from arthritis to seek the expertise of an exercise professional who can suggest specific exercises that are safe and will be of most benefit. Just as importantly, exercise professionals can also ensure that these exercises are being performed correctly and safely to avoid aggravating joints.
Want to read more:
Click on the following link to the Arthritis Australia website for more information on the benefits of exercise for managing arthritis pain. http://www.arthritisaustralia.com.au/images/stories/documents/info_sheets/2015/General%20management/Physicalactivity.pdf
Want to reduce arthritis pain:
If you suffer from arthritis and are interested in seeing how we can help manage and even eliminate your pain, email us at Be Your Best Health & Fitness by clicking on the following link: [email protected]
