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Caring for Arthritic joints
 The most common type of Arthritis is Osteoarthritis.
This chronic condition is a degenerative joint disease.
Osteoarthritis causes the joint cartilage to break down
causing the bones to rub against each other. It usually
affects the largest joints in the body, like the knees,
hips, shoulder and even the spine. This then leads to
stiffness, pain, inflammation and a loss of mobility
in the joint.
Because of the pain many people
think that exercising with Osteoarthritis is difficult,
or even impossible.
The truth is that exercise is actually very beneficial
for those with Osteoarthritis. Before you begin an exercise
program, there are some important things to remember.
Exercise can actually help you feel better. If done
regularly it can reduce pain and improve your ability
to do everyday activities.
You may experience some pain afterwards, which may make
you reluctant to exercise. However, to stay active you
can relieve the pain with heat or ice. Ice is an excellent
drug-free pain reliever and helps to reduce joint swelling
and pain. If your joint hurts, apply ice to the area
for 15 minutes. If you don't have a cold pack, you can
use a bag of frozen vegetables (like peas) instead.
 Exercise should be done along
with plenty of rest and joint
care
If your joints are painful or you notice redness or
swelling, rest your joints. Once you are feeling better,
try again by doing a small amount of exercise. Any sharp
or unusual pain could be a sign of injury, so talk to
your Physiotherapist or Chiropractor if you have new
or more intense pain. Make sure that you consult with
your Doctor before starting an exercise program.
To prevent stiffness and weakness
it is important to exercise your joints and muscles.
Exercise will make you feel better and maintain a healthy
weight. Excess body weight places unnecessary force and
pressure our joints, therefore Osteoarthritis progresses
more rapidly.
Why should I exercise?
Less movement means more stiffness in your joints. This
causes Osteoarthritis to progress faster. Research shows
that if your joint does not line up properly or is unusually
loose, some exercises could harm more than help your
joints. Your Physiotherapist can go through this with
you and help you to determine the best exercises for
you.
Stretching and strengthening exercises can help to prevent
stiffness and ease the stress on your joints. For example,
if you have strong thigh muscles this will take some
of the stress off the weight bearing joints like the
knees and hips.
 Exercise for people with Osteoarthritis
can help to:
- Delay or even prevent the need for surgery. (For
example, the need for a knee replacement due to severe
Osteoarthritis)
- Improve joint movement and function
- Improve your posture, strength and balance especially
in older adults, this can reduce the risk of falls
Get into group exercise:
Exercising in a group or with a friend is much easier
than exercising on your own. People with Osteoarthritis
who exercise in groups have less depression, less pain
and better joint mobility.
Four tips to keep your joints
healthy:
Watch your weight: This is one
of the best things you can do for your joints. Research
shows that with every 500 grams gained, it places four
times more stress on the knees.
Strong muscles cushion your joints: If
your muscles are weak, your joints will suffer. This
especially affects your knees, which support your entire
body weight. Make sure you consult with your Doctor or
therapist before starting an exercise program on your
own. This will help you avoid straining the joints you
are trying to strengthen.
Low-impact exercises:Cycling and swimming
are great for arthritic hips and knees, but depending
on the severity of the Arthritis this varies from one
person to another.
Find out what exercises are safe for your joints: Research
shows that those who participate in a home exercise program
and also attend an exercise class show a great improvement
in their mobility and function. If you are not sure which
exercises are right for you, call us here at Central
City Health Professionals. We are the specialists in
Caring for Arthritic joints Perth.
Your health and wellbeing is
most important.
Call Central City Health Professionals
Today on 08 9421 1733 today and let us show how we
can help you.
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