Moving Is Key If You're Living with Arthritis
Any form of exercise can limit pain and improve joint flexibility. Gentle, practical ways to keep moving when you have arthritis.
If you're living with arthritis, moving is key. Any form of exercise can help limit pain and improve joint flexibility and range of motion. Even getting 5,000 to 10,000 steps during the day can support your joints and strengthen the muscles, tendons, and ligaments around them.
I know that if you have arthritis, the thought of jogging, swimming, or even walking can feel overwhelming. But over time, you can gradually build up to a regimen that's comfortable for you and keeps your joints mobile so you don't feel as stiff.
This matters for your heart, too. Autoimmune diseases such as lupus, RA, and psoriatic arthritis are associated with early heart disease, and aerobic exercise helps improve cardiovascular health. Consider a strength-training program a few times a week that works different muscle groups.
Any amount of low-impact exercise, walking, swimming, dancing, or the elliptical, is effective. If you're worried about too much activity, split your time into short intervals. Tai chi and yoga are wonderful for balance and coordination and help relax the tendons and ligaments around the joints.
A few tips: always do a range-of-motion warm-up before exercising, and consider applying heat beforehand with a warm towel or heating pad to help your joints relax.
Dr. Maggie Cadet, MD