Arthritis

Arthritis covers many conditions but basically arthritis is inflammation around the joints.

This condition is still not well understood making treatment primarily symptom-orientated. Treatment includes medication, rest, exercise, physical treatment (heat, hydrotherapy, cold) and stress management. Exercise is vital to the management of arthritis. Exercise can reduce joint pain, maintain joint mobility, increase muscle strength and support around the joint, and reduce overall stress from the condition.

However, every patient is different and it is important to obtain individual advice from your local general practitioner, physiotherapist or through the Arthritis Foundation. Exercise needs to be viewed as a form of therapy as intricate as medication therapy.

The type of exercise recommended for a patient depends greatly on what form of arthritis it is, what stage of the condition, medications, what other activities the patient is undertaking and whether the patient is also allowing time for rest. It also depends on what form of exercise is performed, how often, how vigorously it is done and on what surface.

There are three types of exercise:

Strengthening

These exercises will build strength and endurance in the muscles that surround and support the affected joints, thus aiding in movement. A prescribed gym program or prescribed exercises would target the correct muscles.

Flexibility

These exercises aim to improve the range of joint movement by increasing the length of the muscles around the joint that can become stiff through pain and swelling. A Prescribed stretch program or yoga would assist in flexibility. Sometimes pain relief can come from stretching in a heated pool.

Aerobic

This type of exercise aims to improve overall body fitness and endurance. Exercise should progress to this level once pain has begun to subside. It is important that increased stress on the affected joint should be avoided therefore weight-supported exercises such as swimming and cycling are better than jogging for long term improvements. Walking can be part of an exercise program depending on the joints that are affected.

Conclusion

During exercise, people with arthritis should tolerate only mild discomfort. Extended warm-ups and cool-downs are best with a mild-to-moderate intensity of exercise. When exercising, it is important to try to use full range of movement of a joint in a controlled manner. Avoid activities that require sudden jarring movements.

An arthritic patient needs to set realistic goals with the help of a professional. It is important to remember that although exercise is vital to the management of arthritis, it should never be thought that excessive exercise will overcome the problem.

For more information on Arthritis and contact details, see the Arthritis Foundation Website at www.arthritisfoundation.com.au