Manage Rheumatoid Arthritis Pain with Some Everyday Exercises
If you suffer from Rheumatoid Arthritis, you’ll want to consider doing regular exercise to reduce the symptoms. Gentle, low-impact exercises can help improve joint pain, strengthen muscles, and increase stamina. It can also help you maintain a healthy weight and improve your sleep.
While rheumatologists are key people to consult when considering which exercise program is right for you, other health professionals should also be involved.
When exercising with arthritis, you’ll want to start out slowly. You may have muscle soreness that lasts a day or two, but you can gradually increase the amount of time you exercise.
You’ll also want to avoid high-impact exercises like running or contact sports. Lighter aerobic activities, such as swimming, gentle cycling, and aqua aerobics, will be easier on your joints.
Stretching is important when exercising, as it helps restore muscle flexibility and reduce soreness after an exercise session. Proper stretching exercises will keep your joints strong and flexible, making it easier to do everyday tasks.
To know more about managing Rheumatoid Arthritis pain with everyday exercises, continue reading.
What Is Rheumatoid Arthritis?
Rheumatoid arthritis is an inflammatory disease that affects over 2 million people in the United States. The disease affects joints as well as other tissues, such as the kidneys and nerves. People with rheumatoid arthritis can lose the ability to move and experience fatigue. It can also lead to the formation of rheumatoid nodules near joints.
Symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis may vary from person to person, but the primary symptoms are stiffness and pain in joints. These symptoms may also be accompanied by chest pain. Rheumatoid arthritis can affect any joint in the body, but it is most common in small joints. In severe cases, the disease can affect both sides of the body.
About Rheumatoid Arthritis Pain
A chronic systemic inflammatory disease, rheumatoid arthritis causes joint inflammation and pain. It can also affect other parts of the body, including the blood vessels, nerves, muscles, and organs. The most common joint affected by RA is the knee and hands.
During early stages, rheumatoid arthritis affects the smaller joints, such as the ankles and wrists, before progressing to larger joints, such as the elbows, shoulders, and hips. Flares come and go, and patients may experience periods of relative remission between attacks. However, if the disease is left untreated, it may lead to further joint damage.
Treatment for rheumatoid arthritis relies heavily on medications. These drugs are used to relieve the pain associated with rheumatoid arthritis, reduce the risk of developing further complications, and control inflammation. Treatments will include medication, lifestyle changes, and sometimes surgery.
Can You Manage Rheumatoid Arthritis Pain With Exercise?
While you can’t completely eliminate RA pain, you can control the severity of your symptoms through the right exercises. Your physical therapist can help you choose the right exercises that suit your needs. You should be honest about your limitations so your therapist can customize a workout plan for you.
The best exercise for rheumatoid arthritis is a mild aerobic activity with low impact. This type of exercise helps relieve joint pain and increase strength and mobility. Exercise can also reduce fatigue, which is another common symptom of rheumatoid arthritis.
5 Essential Exercises to Manage Rheumatoid Arthritis Pain
If you are looking for the best exercises for Rheumatoid Arthritis, you need to start by warming up your joints and ligaments and then can try the following exercises:
1. Tai chi
Studies have shown that Tai Chi helps patients manage their pain. Tai Chi has minimal risks of injury. Tai Chi helps to reduce pain and inflammation in the joints. It also helps to promote good posture, which improves body function and increases lung space. Tai Chi exercises help to improve the body’s circulation by pumping fluid and energy through the body. This helps to relieve pain and improve relaxation. Moreover, Tai Chi strengthens the muscles and tissues around the joints and bones.
2. Walking
Walking can help RA sufferers manage their pain by strengthening the muscles that support their joints. You can check the Walking diet we recommend. It can also improve their mood and help them sleep better. Walking also lowers their blood pressure, which can help prolong their life.
3. Water exercise
Water exercise is a great way to reduce the pain and stiffness associated with rheumatoid arthritis. Most aquatic centers offer classes to help people suffering from the disease. A water exercise class is a great way to relieve the pain and improve mobility, but it’s important to consult with your doctor before starting water exercise.
4. Yoga
Yoga can help people with rheumatoid arthritis manage their pain and improve their overall physical health. The benefits of yoga include reduced joint stiffness and increased range of motion. Inflammation is a major factor in rheumatoid arthritis, and yoga can help reduce inflammation. Many people with RA have difficulty performing yoga poses. In such cases, modified versions of these exercises may be used to avoid overstretching the wrists.
5. Types of Stretching
Stretching exercises are beneficial for people with rheumatoid arthritis because they help increase the range of motion and mobility, and they also reduce stiffness that contributes to pain. Regardless of the type of stretching, the main purpose is to reduce inflammation and stiffness in the joints. It also helps get blood and joint fluids moving. These types of stretches can be done while sitting, lying down, or standing. Remember to always consult with your doctor before starting a new exercise program.