How Exercise Can Help Manage Pain Caused By Arthritis

1. How Exercise Can Help Manage Pain Caused By Arthritis • Arthritis: A form of joint disorder that involves inflammation of the joints • Over time, inactivity worsens osteoarthritis pain and puts adults at greater risk for eventual total loss of mobility • Exercise has been shown to be more effective than medications in treating osteoarthritis. It can reduce stiffness and increase range of motion . • Why exercise helps to manage pain: • It increases blood flow to cartilage, bringing it the nutrients it needs to stay healthy • It strengthens the muscles that surround the joints • Losing weight can be helpful if you are overweight because it will reduce the amount of stress you place on your weight-bearing joints • Arthritis symptoms often worsen when you are tired. Exercise can improve your sleep pattern. • Starting an exercise program: • Talk to your doctor before starting any fitness program • Your program should include the following • Range-of-motion exercises • Strengthening exercises • Aerobic exercise • Walking, swimming, and cycling are good choices for aerobic exercise • Should be done for 20-30 minutes a day, 3-4 times a week • Yoga can help with balance, strength, and flexibility • Choose strengthening exercises that increase range of motion in the joints where you have arthritis (e.g. biceps curls for the elbow-joint (Left) Healthy hip anatomy. (Right) An osteoarthritic hip with abnormal bone — called spurs — that has grown outward to make up for damaged cartilage. Kari Koza Davis, Jeanie L. "Exercises Can Ease Arthritis Pain." WebMD. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 June 2013. <http://www.webmd.com/pain-management/features/exercises-can-ease-arthritis-pain>. "Managing Arthritis Pain With Exercise." American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 June 2013. <http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00696>. Pisters, M.F., C. Veenhof, F.G. Schellevis, D.H. De Bakker, and J. Dekker. "Long-term Effectiveness of Exercise Therapy in Patients with Osteoarthritis of the Hip or Knee: A Randomized Controlled Trial Comparing Two Different Physical Therapy Interventions." Osteoarthritis and Cartilage 18.8 (2010): 1019-026. Jan. 2001. Web. 23 June 2013.