Arthritis Exercises Designed To Reduce Joint Paint - What You Should Know

by Maria Kinsella

If you have joint pain caused by arthritis, exercise may be the last thing on your mind. However, moving the joints around is the best way to limit the pain in those joints and to keep your range of motion reasonably good.

Most of the exercises that help in reducing your joint pain, are quite simple and can be done in the comforts of your own home. The essential thing is to understand the types of movements involved and the components of the exercise, and how they help alleviate the pain. Using this knowledge, you can chart out your own routine to help reduce the pain.

Three main types of arthritis exercises should be used: range-of-motion or flexibility, strengthening, and overall fitness moves. Each kind is important to your health and well being but, range of motion exercises will ease muscle stiffness and work to keep your joints flexible most. Motion ranges pertain to the typical amount that your joints can move in specific directions.

It may take some time to limber up joints that have become swollen and painful, but gentle and patient movements will eventually greatly improve your mobility on these joints. Some of the easy exercises that you can utilize to improve flexibility are: hip lifts, lower back rotations, back press and release, elbow bends, arm reaches and extensions, and finger tip curls.

When you and your doctor decide on an appropriate routine for you, to reap the most benefit of these exercises, aim to complete it twice a day. Try to do each exercise for 3 to 10 repetitions. Be sure to move slowly, and complete each movement in a steady manner-never bounce or lurch.

Many people forget to breathe when they do exercises for arthritis. It can help to count your breaths out loud as you go. It will be normal to feel some discomfort at first, but always stop exercising if you experience intense pain.

Many people believe that climbing stairs, getting dressed, cooking, and other similar household tasks will provide the same benefits as exercise. However, while it is important that people with arthritis continue their usual routines, there is no substitute for the types of movements found in exercises specifically designed to reduce the effects of joint pain.

Exercise may be one of the best treatments for those who suffer from arthritis and joint pain. Although it may not sound like a pleasant prospect, getting those joints moving increases flexibility and will reduce discomfort in the long run. You do not need to leave your home or learn complicated routines to reduce the pain in your joints. The movements that will ease your pain are very simple and can be learned very quickly. It is easy to devise a routine that will keep your joints from hurting and keep them flexible enough for you to go about your everyday activities. The author recommends Flex Protex to aid with joint discomfort.

Published March 5th, 2008

Filed in Fitness, Health