Proper exercise can help reduce arthritis symptoms. Walking, swimming and cycling are some of the recommended activities.
- If you have arthritis, exercise can help reduce symptoms.
- You should choose an activity that puts little pressure on the joints.
- This could be walking, swimming, cycling or even the elliptical trainer.
Aching joints, stiffness: arthritis can ruin everyday life. As highlighted Insermthis inflammation of the membrane present in the joints can take different forms, and its causes are variable. To relieve the symptoms, a specialist from the Cleveland Clinic In the United States, physiotherapist Tobi Jevnikar gives several tips for adapting physical activity to the disease. First, he recommends doing a sport with low impact, to avoid increasing the pressure on the joints, already weakened by inflammation.You should choose exercises that will help you gain strength and increase your range of motion, without putting pressure on the affected joints.”he recommends.
Walking: a gentle sport for arthritis
He cites walking among the physical activities adapted to arthritis. The physiotherapist advises starting with walks on flat surfaces, without difficulties. It is necessary to develop endurance to be able, then to undertake long hikes with significant climbs. For this specialist, it is necessary to go gradually, in order to reduce the risk of injury. He also advises favoring walking outside or on indoor tracks.With a treadmill, you have to keep up with it, because it will keep going with or without you, he emphasizes. But if you’re walking around your neighborhood or in a park, you can more naturally speed up and slow down as needed..”
Arthritis: Swimming to relieve joints
For this expert, swimming is a way “safe and effective” to exercise for people with arthritis.”Buoyancy in water can take pressure off your joints”he says. In concrete terms, it is possible to do lengths, water walking, water aerobics or even do a pedaling movement with your feet.The resistance of the movement against the water can help strengthen your muscles, and this can help burn calories and lose weight.”explains Tobi Jevnikar.
Cycling to relieve arthritis symptoms
Cycling is also one of the options suitable for people with arthritis: whether it is outdoor cycling or an exercise bike.As you are sitting, you do not have the effect of gravity compressing your joints”he notes. On the other hand, if you want to cycle outdoors, it’s best to start with short outings on smooth areas.
The elliptical trainer is recommended for arthritis
“Elliptical trainers can be another option for getting a low-impact workout that’s easier on your joints.”adds the specialist. This type of activity limits impacts, which is beneficial for the joints, compared to running for example.
While exercise will not cure arthritis, it can help improve mobility, balance and flexibility, thereby improving quality of life.
