Exercise
Exercise is important to maintain the health of your heart, muscles, bones and cartilage. The believe that exercise makes arthritis or arthritic conditions worse is not true.
Regular exercise may help keep your joints from becoming stiff and keeps them healthy. Strong muscles help support and protect your joints. A regular exercise program will help keep your joints healthy, help control your weight, help you sleep better and help you feel better.
Once you have seen your doctor and he/she has determined what type of arthritis you have, it should be discussed as to what type of exercise program you should begin. You may be referred to a physical therapist who will instruct you on a suitable program for you. It is important to know you limitations. The goal is to strengthen you joints and promote you health without causing further damage.
There are three types of exercises that can help people with arthritis:
- Range of motion exercises which reduce stiffness and keep you joints flexible.
- Strengthening exercises which increase or maintain muscle strength.
- Endurance exercises which help keep you heart healthy and control your weight.