Arthritis and Exercise (Cont.)

Final Exercise Tips for People With Arthritis

Here are some final tips for exercising with arthritis:
 
  • Discuss exercise plans with your doctor.
     
  • Start with supervision from a physical therapist or qualified athletic trainer.
     
  • Apply heat to sore joints, if needed.
     
  • Stretch and warm up with range-of-motion exercises.
     
  • Start strengthening exercises slowly, with small weights (a one- or two-pound weight can make a big difference).
     
  • Progress slowly.
     
  • Use cold packs after exercising, if needed.
     
  • Add aerobic exercise gradually.
     
  • Consider appropriate recreational exercise (after doing range-of-motion, strengthening, and aerobic exercise). Fewer injuries to joints affected by arthritis occur during recreational exercise if it is preceded by range-of-motion, strengthening, and aerobic exercise that gets your body in the best condition possible.
     
  • Ease off if joints become painful, inflamed, or red; and work with your doctor to find the cause and eliminate it.
     
  • Choose the exercise program you enjoy most, and make it a habit.

Pages:

Previous 1 2 3 4

Add this article to your Favorites     Email this article     Print
Written by/reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD