Fitness With Julia
Exercising with Arthritis worse is important.
Osteoarthritis can be caused through genetics, wear and tear of the joints or other lifestyle reasons and lower impact exercises, which put less strain on the joints, are recommended but each individual will need to try different activities and ones that suit.
Rheumatoid arthritis
is an inflammatory condition which can be very painful when it flares up, but when not it is possible to continue exercising gently without damaging the joint. Exercising will help you manage your arthritis by strengthening your muscles, easing the stiffness, improving your joint movement and maintaining a healthy weight. Let’s not forget the mental benefits of feeling better, more in control and self confidence. If you are starting out, begin with small but regular amounts of activity and build up what you can do. This will prevent injury as you get used to it and, as time goes on, you can increase the time and intensity of your exercise. Good mobility and stretching before and after your session will stop the muscles and joints getting stiff. It can be normal for you to feel a bit sore after a session but STOP if you experience severe pain in the muscles Many clients ask me if they can exercise if they or joints; see a doctor if it continues but if it have arthritis, which is a joint disease often eases after a day or so start again slowly and causing stiffness, swelling and pain. build up gradually. If you have arthritis, it is important to remain as active as you can as this will improve your This will keep the joints moving properly as health and help to decrease pain. well as easing aches and pains by stretching Many of us will experience some degree through. of this condition as we get older and understanding it, knowing our limitations and Move as far as you can until you feel the focusing on what we can do to stop it getting stretch, hold for 5-10 secs and relax.
Stretching
52
We welcome your stories and photographs