Arthritis Is Painful But The Benefits Of Exercise
Helps Ease Pain In The Joints
Your bones and joints are very crucial to your body. They connect at different locations; The joints in your fingers ,knees, hips and toes. Cartilage, a rubbery, protective layer that is present where your bones meet, guarantees that the joints bend smoothly and painlessly. But even cartilage needs help to do its job. The benefits of exercise ensures that the joints stay strong and pliable.
A thin membrane called the “synovium” provides fluid that lubricates the working parts of the joint. When the cartilage wears out, the synovium becomes irritated or inflamed. This results generally in a case of “osteoarthritis” or “rheumatoid arthritis.”
In osteoarthritis, the cartilage can break down to the point that bone does rub on bone. This type of arthritis develops gradually over a lifetime; a result of the wear and tear placed on your joints over the years.
A small minority of people escape some degree of osteoarthritis, though the severity of it may vary a great deal. If you are over the age of 50, you are more than likely to have at least one joint affected by osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis, with almost 16 million Americans (men and women) in the list.
In rheumatoid arthritis, damage to the synovium is at the source of trouble. Doctors and researchers are not really sure what causes it, but most think that rheumatoid arthritis is a disease in which the immune system actually attacks certain tissues in the body, including those that connect the joints and the synovium.
Starting with swollen, red, stiff, and painful joints, rheumatoid arthritis may continue until scar tissue forms in the joint or,in extreme cases, until the bones actually meld together.
Almost 75% of the 2 million people with rheumatoid arthritis in the United States are women. The disease can hit as early as teen years.
Prevention Through Exercise
A good exercise and stretching plan can lead up to great results when it comes to staving off arthritis pain. Strong muscles help protect the joints from wear and tear. Exercises help keep the joints supple and flexible.
For anyone over the age of 50, good exercise planning is a must to keep the joints. In reality most people over 50 would rather sit back and watch others jog by. They believe that exercise is just for people who have been athletic all their life, or that exercise is for young people and participating in exercise will do them more harm than good.
People always make excuses when they don,t want to do something; “it,s too hard”, “no time in my schedule”, “i,m too tired”, and so on. If you want to make life easier with arthritis, start doing exercises to lessen the pain and increase mobility in your joints.
The key is consistency; get into the routine of exercising each day, and increase it over time. Preventing arthritis is not an exact science, but doctors have found several ways to lower the risk:
1. Don,t wait to lose weight
Losing weight is at the top of the list as the single most important measure to prevent osteoarthritis of the knee. The more you weigh puts extra pressure on your knees. For example, you put 60 pounds per square inch of extra pressure on your knees every time you take a step. That extra weight will erode the cartilage in your knees, leading to arthritis.
A theory that weight loss prevents the onslaught of arthritis is supported by a study. It states that overweight women who have lost 11 pounds or more over a 10-year period reduced their risk by 50% of developing osteoarthritis of the knee.
2. Stretch your muscles
Some of the health professionals of clinical medicine in New York City have discovered that any kind of stretching is good as long as you careful not to bounce. Bouncing can lead to a painful pull of the muscle(s).
Try to maintain a slow, steady stretch for 15 to 20 seconds, then relax and repeat. Be sure to warm up your muscles by stretching before any exercise, including running and walking. Consequently it is also a good idea to stretch each day. Ask your physician to teach you stretches that focus on potential arthritis trouble spots, such as the knees or the lower back.
3. The best exercise is walking
A good long walk at least three times a week, participating in a step-aerobics or low-impact exercise routine can produce great results. There is no proof that running is bad for the joints, but remember, it may flare up an injury if you already have one. Just remember to check with your health physician before beginning a new exercise program.
Exercise is necessary for good health and well-being. It helps reduce the wear and tear on joints. Increased mobility in arthritic limbs is one of the benefits of daily exercise. Your body is not at its full peak if you don,t have an exercise regime. Create a plan to get your body in shape while you are healthy.
Keep in mind that a person who does not exercise, even if free from the symptoms of illness or problems like arthritis, is not at their full potential. Check with a doctor, make a plan, and start exercises as soon as possible.