Arthritis Pain - Five Exercises to Ease the Pain

Author : Tracy Braime 

Don't let your stiffness and pain take over your life. A few exercises a day can make a world of difference by helping to relieve some of the pain and fatigue caused by painful joints and muscles. Exercise should be part of your daily arthritis routine to improve muscle strength and joint mobility.

Stretching or Flexibility Exercises

People with painful joints and muscles often keep them in a bent position because this seems to be the most comfortable position, but in the long run this may cause more permanent damage and obstruct you from doing simple daily tasks.

By simply stretching, and bending the joints as far as you can without causing too much discomfort can help the affected area. Each time you straighten out the affected area try to push it a little further until you have reached the normal range, or some where near your normal range. Remember you don't have to accomplish this on the first day take your time and try to stretch a little further every day.

Aerobic Exercise

Any exercise where you are breathing heavier could be called an aerobic exercise. It could even be a simple activity like sweeping the floor or shoveling snow in your yard. Some other examples could be running, walking, dancing or biking. The whole idea is to increase your heart rate for a prolonged period of time. The deep breathing offers the body more oxygen helping to build stronger muscles.

Water Exercise

Any kind of water activity is a great way to exercise, because water acts as a flotation device relieving pressure while offering resistance training for the painful joints and muscles.

How to Start

Always talk to an expert before trying a new exercise regiment and give your body time to adjust. You may experience some fatigue or an increase of pain or joint swelling, so take your time and be gentle with your body.