Arthritis is a health problem that effects individuals of all ages and activity levels. According to the American Council on Exercise, arthritis affects more than 40 million individuals. Only 33 percent of arthritis suffers are senior citizens. Exercise can help to alleviate the pain felt as a result of this disease. Low-impact exercise machines are often the solution many arthritis suffers are looking for.
Arthritis
Arthritis is the inflammation of your joints, according to ACE. As the cartilage between your bones wears out as the result of injury or disease, your bones begin to rub against each other. The cartilage previously served as a cushion to your joints. Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis characterized by a progressive loss of cartilage. This disease typically occurs in your hips, knees, shoulders and hands. Pain, swelling and decreased range of motion are the common symptoms of OA. Another type of arthritis is called rheumatoid arthritis. This type of arthritis causes an inflammation of the inner linings of your joints resulting in pain and stiffness.
Exercise Benefits
Doctors and physical therapists have been recommending exercise for arthritis patients for years. Exercise can help to improve your flexibility, reduce joint stiffness, increase range of motion and alleviate pain, according to ACE. Additionally, exercise can help to improve your cardiovascular health and prevent many diseases associated with inactivity including obesity. Exercise can also have a positive effect on the psychological pain that can occur after being diagnosed with arthritis. Exercise can help to boost your mood.
Exercise Machines
Personal preference plays a large role in determining what the best exercise machine for arthritis is. However, there are many exercise machines that are suitable for use in individuals with arthritis. The Arthritis Foundation recommends walking as a form of cardiovascular exercise for arthritis suffers. A treadmill provides you with the opportunity to walk indoors. Treadmills increase the muscle tone of your lower body and allow you to walk at your own pace. A stationary bike is a non-impact aerobic workout, according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Stationary bikes place no impact on your joints as you exercise. You can cycle at your own pace and increase the resistance of the bike as you progress. Elliptical machines mimic the motions of cross country skiing without placing stress on your body. You can get your hear pumping and a total body workout while on an elliptical machine. According to ACE, arthritis suffers can also benefit from strength training. Weight machines allow you to perform a wide variety of strengthening exercises at your own pace with an amount of weight that you decide on. You can perform tricep extensions, shoulder presses, chess presses, leg extensions, leg curls and bicep curls.
Safety
Always consult your doctor before beginning cardiovascular or strengthening programs with arthritis. Your physician will be able to offer you advice and address any concerns you may have before beginning to use exercise machines. While exercising, you should always focus on flexibility, according to ACE. This will help you to reduce your risk of injury. Always stretch before working out. Take all of your affected joints through their complete range of motion. Hold each stretch for a count of 30 seconds. You should do this at least once per day. You should exercise for 20 minutes per day, three to five days a week.
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