The term "exercise" is vague, and when your doctor prescribes exercise to help relieve joint pain, it probably sounds like the last thing you want to do. He likely means range of motion exercises, which are gentle movements that can help increase strength and flexibility by moving your afflicted joint to its limits in all directions. You may be guided by a therapist or work alone, but it's not as strenuous as you might think.
Active Versus Passive
During active range of motion exercises, you perform the movement yourself. During passive range of motion exercises, the motion is performed for you. For example, raising your arm above your head and then lowering it back to your hip would be an active exercise. If you are not physically strong enough to support the weight of your arm, your nurse or physical therapist can raise and lower your arm in a passive exercise.
Purpose
Range of motion exercises are designed to restore or preserve range of motion in a joint afflicted by degeneration or injury. If you are recovering from shoulder, hip or knee surgery, you will likely undergo passive range of motion exercises until the joint is healed and then transition to active range of motion exercises to regain your strength in the joint. Passive exercises help keep the joint lubricated and flexible, but because you are not contracting your muscles, the exercises won't affect your strength. For that, you need active exercises. Arthritis sufferers are frequently prescribed a series of active range of motion exercises to do at home to help keep their afflicted joints mobile and relieve pain.
Method
Passive exercises should only be executed by trained personnel who know the limits of the joint. You can do active range of motion exercises yourself by moving the afflicted body part throughout it's normal functional range of motion 3 to 10 times. Keep the movements slow and fluid; do not force them. Don't hold your breath, and don't use bounce or momentum to complete the movement. Do your compete set of exercises once or twice daily.
Safety
Never force a motion to the point of pain. A slight stretch or tension is okay, but pain is your body's signal that damage is occurring and you should stop. Never try to help someone else with passive exercises -- you may accidentally push the limb too far and cause injury and pain. Consult your doctor or physical therapist to learn a series of range of motion exercises that could benefit your particular condition.
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