It may seem a bit strange that exercise can help you if you suffer from arthritis. After all, it hurts you to move those aching and stiff joints. But just like an old car that runs more smoothly the longer it runs, your body works in the same manner.
Arthritis occurs in the joints of the body. In the joint areas of your body (where your bones meet), there is layer of cartilage between the bones that enables your joints to function smoothly and without pain. There is also a lubricating fluid that works in conjunction with the cartilage to help perform this function. However, when your cartilage wears thin, it causes an inflammation of this fluid, resulting in what we know as the most common form of arthritis – osteoarthritis.
Arthritis is not something that develops overnight. It develops over the span of your life and is a result of the wear and tear placed on the joints. Most people will develop some form of arthritis in their lifetime, but you can help prevent the most severe forms with a moderate exercise program.
If you implement a good weight bearing, low impact exercise program to your lifestyle, it can work wonders in helping to prevent the pain of arthritis. Exercise helps to increase the strength of your muscles, which help to support your joints. When your muscles are strong and healthy, this decreases the normal wear and tear that you experience in your joints and also helps to maintain flexibility.
Even if you are past the age of 50 and are beginning to suffer the effects of arthritis, you can still benefit from a solid, low impact exercise program. You just have to move past the notion that you are too old to exercise or that exercise can be harmful at your age. Nothing is further from the truth.
You can avoid the most debilitating effects of arthritis by losing weight if you are overweight. All that extra weight that you are carrying around increases the stress on your joints. Consider this – being just 10 pounds overweight puts an extra 60 pounds of pressure per square inch on your knees when you move. Now, how do you think that affects the cartilage in your joints?
It is also a good idea to add stretching to your exercise routine, which helps to increase your flexibility while still challenging your muscles. If you are unsure of how to begin, consult your doctor for the stretching exercises that are the most beneficial for arthritis sufferers.
The most important thing to remember is that exercise is the most important thing that you can implement in your lifestyle to decrease the painful effects of arthritis. And since walking is considered exercise, there is not an excuse to skip exercise. If you are suffering from lots of joint pain, you may want to consider an exercise like water aerobics. But, remember, you cannot experience the positive benefits of exercise if you do not take the first step and get moving.
