Exercise With Arthritis So You Can Break Free From the Pain

People who suffer from arthritis are challenged with symptoms such as swollen, stiff or tender joints. These symptoms can be incapacitating, making even simple household tasks a real chore, let alone attempting a favorite sport or pastime. One might think that not exercising would seem to be a simple solution, but in fact, research reveals the opposite. Exercise can decrease the pain, increase overall fitness and flexibility, as well as improve your state of mind.

So how can you break free from the pain? According to Janet Yale, president and CEO of The Arthritis Society, exercise is one part of your arthritis treatment that you can control. “Exercising provides you with a chance to confront arthritis and reclaim activities the disease has made difficult for you – and even discover new ones.”

If you are not physically active or have never exercised before, it can seem intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be. Try adding 10 minutes of physical activity to your day and see how your body responds. As you adjust to the change, set goals for yourself so you can measure your improvement. Aim to gradually increase your goals by 10-minute increments every few days until you can reach a regular routine of being physically active for at least 60 minutes most days (including exercise as well as ordinary household, workplace and lifestyle activities that keep your body moving). Be sure to keep your doctor apprised of any changes in your routine or symptoms.

For those who are active and playing through their pain, there are additional solutions. A medication with long lasting relief, such as Aleve, can be appealing for those suffering from arthritis pain and general body pain, providing up to 12 hours of relief.

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