Baby Boomer Health – Arthritis and Exercise

Welcome to this weeks edition of Baby Boomer Health – Arthritis and Exercise

Show Notes:

Your joints are sore and stiff.  You have been told that you have arthritis.  What do you do?

Many physicians are recommending non-impact exercise to improve the range of motion and strength in the joints.  Non-impact so as not to injure the joint further.

Arthritis is the leading cause of disability in this country.  Limiting daily activities due to pain and stiffness.  Many people believe it is just part of getting old.   By age 65 one third of us will show signs of osteoarthritis in our joints.

There are two basic types of arthritis.  Rheumatoid arthritis which is a chronic inflammation of the joint leading to stiffness in the joint and muscles, joint erosion and pain.  Osteoarthritis is a degenerative disorder that erodes the cartilage in the joints leading to pain and stiffness.

If your joints don't move and bear weight, they will lose strength.  this weakness and swelling can make to joint unstable.  This can lead to dislocation, increased injury and pain.

So as many physicians recommend you must find a way to gently exercise these joints to tone the muscles and reduce stiffness in the joints.  How can you do this?

There are two common ways:  Yoga and Pilates.  Speak with your physician first and then if recommended find an instructor who understands arthritis and how to improve the tone and flexibility of the affected joints.  There are many ways to modify the exercises for arthritis, stiffness and pain.

So if you doctor OKs it, try yoga or pilates and see if over time your limitations are reduced or disappear.