Chronic back pain from arthritis may lead you to avoid physical activity, but the stretching and strength training you do with a sport such as Tae Kwon Do may actually ease your symptoms. Tae Kwon Do can also give you a good aerobic workout to make up for those days when you have difficulty moving around due to arthritis pain.
Background
Arthritis refers to numerous problems that can cause pain and irritation in your joints. Your spine has cartilage between its vertebrae that normally absorbs shock and allows your spine to bend smoothly. The cartilage between your vertebrae endures a lot of wear and tear over time. Sometimes, the cartilage begins to break down, which inflames the joints between your vertebrae, making it painful to bend your back. Eventually, you may feel back pain when standing, sitting and walking.
Tae Kwon Do and Arthritis
Exercises that improve your flexibility and strength may ease your arthritis symptoms, according to the Arthritis Foundation. Tae Kwon Do places emphasis on stretching and expanding the range of motion of different parts of your body. Stretching can help free up stiffness in your spine and reduce your risk of further injuring your back. You also do a lot of strength training in Tae Kwon Do, which gives you stronger muscles that can take some of the stress off your joints as well as help absorb shock.
Other Benefits
Tae Kwon Do may also help you cope with arthritis. If your arthritis pain varies from day to day, you may find that you become very inactive when your inflammation gets particularly bad. Practicing Tae Kwon Do when your arthritis pain is tolerable can help you to get a good aerobic workout. In addition to being good for your overall health, this aerobic workout can improve your mood and make your more resilient to stress. More resilience to stress may help you get through the tougher times, when your arthritis feels particularly bad.
Limitations
While Tae Kwon Do involves exercises that can help you deal with spinal arthritis, it may be too vigorous, depending on the severity of your arthritis. You may find Tae Kwon Do too be too painful an activity, because it often requires that you make many quick movements that could put stress on your spine. Similarly, the Spine-Health website recommends to stick with low-impact exercises, such as walking or water aerobics, if your spinal arthritis is particularly painful. Also, consider other martial arts such as Tai Chi, which has the same flexibility benefits as Tae Kwon Do, but without the intensity.
References
- Spine-Health: Osteoarthritis of the Spine
- Arthritis Foundation: Types of Exercise
- World Taekwondo Federation: What is Taekwondo
- Spine-Health: Exercise for Osteoarthritis
- "Arthritis Care & Research"; The Effectiveness of Tai Chi for Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain Conditions: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis; Amanda Hall, et al.; May 2009
