Arthritis is associated with many conditions and affects 46 million adults and 300,000 children in America, according to the Arthritis Foundation. The most common form of arthritis is osteoarthritis, which is most prevalent in people over 60. Arthritis affects the joints and causes pain, stiffness, inflammation and damage to joint cartilage; it is a major cause of disability. Exercise won't cure arthritis, but it is important to reduce pain and increase mobility. Range-of-motion exercises can be done to lessen joint stiffness and improve mobility.
Benefits of Exercise
Exercise is an important part of staying healthy regardless of health status. Even if you are in pain, you can likely exercise slowly to reap the benefits and loosen up painful, stiff joints. Exercise can make you feel more energetic, strengthen your muscles and bones, make you more flexible and make you feel healthier. However, always consult your doctor or physical therapist to see if exercise is right for you and to see if you should do specific exercises.
About Range-of-Motion Exercises
Flexibility, or range-of-motion, exercises should be done daily and are the most important of all your exercises. These are typically gentle stretching exercises that help protect your joints by reducing your risk for injury and warming you up for more strenuous exercises like aerobic or strengthening. Do 15 minutes of range-of-motion exercises daily. When you can do 15 minutes of continuous exercises daily, you can do strengthening and aerobic exercises. Good range-of-motion exercise include tai chi and yoga because they are slow, reduce stress, relax stiff muscles, improve balance and can help with weight loss.
Active Range-Of-Motion
Range-of-motion exercises may be active or passive. Active range-of-motion exercises are done when you can do the exercises all by yourself. Do these daily exercises after receiving medical approval. You might want to get a list of specific exercises to do from your doctor or physical therapist. Start exercises slowly and do them from your neck and work down to your toes. Keep a straight posture and always return to your starting posture when you finish each exercise. If you feel pain during movement, stop the exercise and rest. Call your doctor if the pain persists.
Passive Range-of-Motion
Passive range-of-motion exercises are done by you and a helper. After receiving medical approval, passive exercises may be done with the assistance of a physical therapist or caregiver. Your assistant has a list of range-of-motion exercises for you to do, makes sure you're comfortable and helps you do exercises from your neck down to your toes. Try to maintain as straight a posture as possible to help with breathing and joint alignment during your exercises, and tell your assistant immediately if you feel any pain.
Member Comments