Millions of Americans suffer from arthritis, the swelling and inflammation in one or more of their joints. Living with arthritis can be painful, impacting your ability to do everyday tasks. While arthritis doesn’t have a cure, it can be managed with low-impact exercises to relieve your joint pain.
Joint-friendly physical activities put less stress on your joints, build strength around your joints, and reduce the risk of injury. Additionally, staying active can help prevent any arthritic-related conditions that may develop. Here are some of the best exercises to engage in if you suffer from arthritic pain:
- Low-impact aerobic exercises
Engaging in aerobic exercises that are low-impact is necessary for individuals with arthritis so that minimal stress is put on the joints. Swimming, water aerobics, and biking are all great exercises that can help you remain active while not contributing to joint pain. - Muscle-building exercises
Building muscle around your joints suffering from arthritis is key to relieving your pain. Strengthening the muscles will allow you to rely on them more than your joints when engaging in activities. Your muscles will absorb some of the force, taking pressure off your joints. - Regular walks
Walking with arthritis may seem daunting but it is important to keep your joints moving to avoid any build-up of stiffness. It is recommended by the CDC to walk for 150 minutes a week.1 - Flexibility exercises
Stretching and engaging in flexibility exercises such as yoga can work to relieve tension in your joints. Individuals suffering from arthritis often experience joint stiffness which can contribute to their pain. Improving your flexibility will loosen your joints and lessen the pain associated with your stiffness.
It is important to practice good form, take it slow, and modify exercises to accommodate your arthritis. Learning these practices will allow you to remain active and reduce your pain while still staying conscious of your joint health.
If you suffer from arthritis and are struggling to manage your joint pain, contact Dr. Ehmke for a consultation today!
Dr. Andrew Ehmke is a board-certified and fellowship-trained joint replacement surgeon specializing in robotic-assisted and minimally invasive hip and knee replacement in Chicagoland.
1. https://www.cdc.gov/arthritis/basics/physical-activity-overview.html
