If you’re living with arthritis, you know that exercise can be both a blessing and a curse.
On one hand, it’s one of the best ways to manage your pain and keep your joints healthy. But on the other hand, certain exercises can be incredibly painful and difficult.
So what’s a person with arthritis to do?
In this post, we’ll explore everything you need to know about exercising with arthritis – from the types of exercises that are best for you, to how to make them more comfortable, to when exercise should be avoided altogether.
Let’s get started!
What Exercise Is Best For Arthritis?
People with arthritis have a wide range of symptoms that vary from person to person.
For some people, even standing up for a few minutes can be excruciatingly painful. Whereas others may find that they can exercise with arthritis without too many issues.
If you’re considering starting an exercise program to help manage your arthritis symptoms, it’s important to keep in mind that everyone has different limitations and abilities.
For example, some people may find that cycling is very painful for their knees, whereas other people may be able to cycle for long distances with little to no pain, as their arthritis affects their ankles or feet instead.
That’s why it’s so important to listen to your body and figure out what kinds of movements are best for your specific condition.
It’s also worth finding out what you enjoy doing most and try to incorporate those activities into your exercise routine whenever possible. You’re more likely to stick with an exercise plan if you’re having fun with it!
That said, there are some activities that are generally considered to be better for people suffering from arthritis than others.
These include:
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Water-based exercises like swimming are great for people with arthritis because they’re low-impact and easy on the joints.
They also encourage full-body movement, which is typically associated with improved flexibility and strength. -
Cycling is another great option for many people living with arthritis because it’s easy on the joints and can be done indoors or outdoors.
Many people also find that cycling can help reduce joint pain and stiffness by increasing blood flow to their joints. -
Walking is also a good option for people with arthritis because it doesn’t require any special equipment or facilities and can be done either indoors or outdoors depending on the weather.
Many people find that walking allows them to get some much-needed exercise without causing too much pain or discomfort. -
Tai Chi is an ancient Chinese practice that involves a series of slow movements and poses designed to improve balance and mobility.
Research has shown that Tai Chi can help relieve joint inflammation and improve flexibility in people with arthritis and other chronic conditions. [1]
How To Exercise More Comfortably With Arthritis?
So you’ve started an exercise program to help manage your arthritis symptoms, but the pain is only getting worse…Why is this?
Well, it could because your body isn’t ready for the physical activity yet, or you could be overdoing it and need to dial it back a little.
On the other hand, it may be that your arthritis symptoms are more severe than you anticipated and you’re working yourself too hard.
Either way, there are a few things you can try that can help reduce your pain while you exercise and improve your overall fitness at the same time.
These include:
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Listening to your body. Remember that everyone is different, so it’s important not to compare your fitness level to someone else’s.
It’s important to do what feels best for you. -
Changing your routine if necessary. If you discover that a particular exercise is causing a lot of pain, don’t be afraid to try something else instead!
There’s no point pushing through pain if it doesn’t feel right. -
Gradually increasing the intensity of your workouts. It’s better to start off slowly and build up your endurance than to try to push yourself too hard too fast!
Take it one step at a time and focus on making small improvements each week. - Making sure you get enough rest in between workouts. As tempting as it is to want to exercise as much as you can while your symptoms are under control, it can actually be counterproductive!
Rest is important to help your body recover from the stresses of working out.
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Adapting exercises to accommodate your specific limitations. Try different types of exercises to determine which works best for you and feels most comfortable.
For example, rather than going for a hike where there are sharp inclines and uneven ground, try exploring a nearby park with easier terrain and less steep hills!
When Should You Exercise With Arthritis?
One of the keys to managing arthritis successfully is to exercise regularly — but how do you know when it’s time to get up and moving?
Unfortunately, there’s no set rule for knowing when it’s okay to exercise with your arthritis symptoms — it really depends on the severity of your condition and the activities you choose to do.
A good rule of thumb to follow is to listen to your body and pay attention to how you feel after you’ve done an activity.
It’s normal to feel some soreness after a workout, but if the discomfort continues for more than a few days or starts to interfere with your daily life, it’s probably a sign that you need to slow down or switch to a less strenuous activity.
While consistency is key, it’s important to remember not to overdo it! Putting too much strain on your body can cause flare-ups and make existing symptoms worse.
If you’re starting to feel tired, sore, or have pain or swelling in a specific area, stop what you’re doing and rest for a while before doing anything else.
And if you’re looking for a helping hand when it comes to recovering after exercise, why not try our red light therapy device – the Move+?
With its advanced technology, the Move+ offers targeted relief to your joints, helping to reduce inflammation and ease pain.
The red light emitted by the device penetrates deep into the muscles and joints to promote circulation, reduce inflammation and help soothe the pain associated with arthritis.
So whether you’re looking for relief after starting an exercise program, or you’re simply looking for another tool in your pain management arsenal, the Move+ is a great option to try.
And, did you know that our customers report an 80% reduction in pain within 1 to 4 weeks compared to other treatments?
That’s pretty impressive when you consider that it requires no drugs or invasive procedures — just use it in the comfort of your own home and you’ll soon be on the path to a pain-free life!
And with our 30-day money-back guarantee, there’s absolutely no risk involved — you’ve got nothing to lose!
Either the Move+ works to relieve your pain or refund every penny… and that’s a promise you can bank on!
For more on red light therapy and arthritis, read:
