Rheumatoid arthritis, a painful and debilitating disease in which your body attacks its own tissue, can be treated but not cured. Some forms of exercise can alleviate joint pain in your fingers, wrists, elbows and knees. Reclining Blackbird bikes might help you strengthen your leg muscles. You could also perform quad bends, but you must use caution to avoid further injuring joints. Consult a physician before altering your prescribed exercise regimen in any way.
BlackBird Bike
If rheumatoid arthritis affects your knee joints and your ability to balance, you might find the EZZ-1 Quadribent Bike by BlackBird bikes helpful. The bicycle provides low-to-the-ground, side-by-side seating with back support. If you ride the bike with a friend or family member, you could take breaks pedaling as the bike can be operated by a single rider. The bike also includes additional seating in the back of the device for two non-pedaling passengers. This feature, similar to rumble seats in vintage cars, makes it possible for a family to ride together on a single vehicle. The ability to recline while riding the EZ-1 Quadribent reduces stress on your knee joints.
Increase Lower Limb Strength
Exercise, in addition to medication, strengthens the joints and helps delay the need for surgical intervention. Performing quad bends can strengthen your quadriceps, the large fleshy muscle group that covers the front and side of your thighs. Strengthening your quadriceps can improve your ability to walk, stand and perform other activities that involve your lower limbs. Rheumatoid arthritis puts you at risk for suffering muscle loss; exercising your quadriceps provides essential therapeutic benefits.
Water Exercise
Traditional quad bends might put too much stress on the joints of a person suffering from extreme rheumatoid arthritis. You might consider instead performing these exercises while immersed in water, holding onto the side of a pool for support. Other water-based exercises might also prove beneficial. Graeme Marshe, a personal trainer who works with rheumatoid arthritis patients, also recommends swimming. The buoyancy of the water protects your joints. You can also perform resistance exercises in the water to build muscle strength and increase flexibility without harming your joints. Other forms of physical activities include brisk walking, rowing and yoga exercises.
Considerations
Seek exercise that improves rather than harms your condition. Quad bends put a lot of stress on leg joints but, if you perform then in waist high water, you relieve the load on your joints by 50 percent, according to Marshe. You should also avoid exercise in the morning when your joints remain stiff from lying in bed all night and all forms of vigorous exercise during flare-ups. Exercises that improve your posture, strength and flexibility can lessen pain and increase your mobility, but set realistic goals and maintain a positive attitude about attaining them.
References
- BlackBird Bikes: EZ-1 Quadribents
- "The Express"; The Best Exercises for Rheumatic Joints; Graeme Marshe; June 13 2006
- "Courier Mail"; Rheumatoid Arthritis,;Vicki Tuchtan; May 19 2001
- Big Knee Pain: Patient Information: Knee Pain Treatment
