Chiropractic Tip: Healthy Ways to Exercise with Arthritis
If you have arthritis, you may wonder how active you should be. When every step hurts, the natural urge is to stop. But your chiropractor and your doctor will usually advise you to keep moving. Short walks, when arthritis is not too painful, can actually help ease symptoms. It’s also good for the spirit, heart and brain as you hang in there instead of hiding out.
Along with walking, you may want to try strength training, water based exercise and balance therapy. They can all help reduce the pain and improve function.
According to Harvard researchers, swimming or bicycling is usually better tolerated than other types of exercise in individuals with arthritis in the hips or knees. They suggest increasing the range of motion in the affected joint, strengthening muscles as support for joints, and gradually build endurance and balance allowing you to be more active. Your chiropractor can help you develop the exercise program that works best for you.
If you have arthritis and don’t currently exercise, start slow. Take a five-minute stroll around your block, swim, or workout on an exercise bicycle. Do it every day, and then gradually increase the time spent exercising or how hard you exercise, but not both at once. If you have heart disease or other health issues, check with your doctor before embarking on an exercise program. Harvard researchers agree exercise for arthritis is one of the safest, healthiest most productive choices you can make.
See Your Chiropractor to Develop a Plan
Your chiropractor has lots of experience in arthritis and can develop an overall treatment and exercise plan for you, monitoring it as you become more active.
In the first visit the chiropractor will use a spinal manipulation to evaluate the health of your spine and talk about your pain. There will also be a complete medical history review followed by a discussion of daily activities.
From there your chiropractor may want to talk about posture, healthy diets, weight loss, relaxation exercises to reduce stress, and good approaches like daily walking or swimming.
Many people turn chiropractic visits into regular health checkpoints. They maintain active schedules and enjoy busy lives. But when pain strikes, such as arthritis, they turn to their chiropractor to find good solutions. As their chiropractors help them stay healthy the emphasis is on natural care with no medications or surgery.
I have known a variety of people who have run into arthritis. They all slowed down and some stopped. Arthritis got their full attention when it showed up and it took a little time to find the best solutions. Weight loss, relaxation, and gentle exercises all came into play as they found their way back with the help of their chiropractors.
If this sounds like a plan you would like to live with make an appointment and find out more.
Used under Creative Commons Licensing courtesy of Steven Pisano