May is officially Arthritis Awareness Month. Who knew?!?
Arthritis affects millions of people worldwide causing joint pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility.
There are many types of arthritis, including osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and gout.
Normal wear and tear of our joints, or osteoarthritis, is the most common and occurs naturally as
we age. While it might seem counterintuitive, regular exercise plays a crucial role in managing arthritis symptoms and improving overall joint health.
1. Reducing Pain and Stiffness
- Exercise (or any movement) helps to lubricate the joint, to bring nutrients to the joint, and helps to flush out any swelling that may be there, making movements easier and less painful.
- Even moderate exercise, such as biking, walking, or swimming, can reduce joint pain and help combat fatigue.
- Remember, you don’t need to run a marathon… small, gentle movements count!
- Pressing Reset is the perfect place to start when you are hurting and feeling stiff. Always remember to keep your resets pain free. Shortening the range of motion you are moving into or modifying your reset if it is hurting is perfectly OK.
2. Strengthening Muscles and Supporting Joints
- Strong muscles around joints provide support and protection for them.
- Weak muscles put extra stress on joints, exacerbating arthritis symptoms.
- Maintain as much mobility in your joints as possible. Your joints need motion to bring nutrients to them and flush waste products and swelling away. A stiff joint does not move as much, therefore decreasing the amount of nutrition coming to it and decreasing its ability to flush out swelling and waste products.
3. Maintaining Bone Strength
- Exercise helps maintain bone density, which is crucial for joint health.
- Weight-bearing exercises (such as walking) and resistance training (lifting weights, carrying heavy things, etc.), contribute to bone strength.
4. Boosting Energy and Improving Sleep
- Regular physical activity increases energy levels, improves heart health and lung capacity.
- Better sleep quality is linked to exercise, promoting overall well-being.
5. Controlling Weight
- Maintaining a healthy weight is also helpful to decreasing stress on arthritic joints.
- Exercise burns calories and helps to keep weight in check.
6. Enhancing Balance
- Balance exercises (e.g., yoga, tai chi) improve stability and reduce the risk of falls.
- Falls, obviously, can be particularly harmful or painful for arthritic joints.
7. Positive Impact on Pain and Mood
- Exercise releases endorphins, which decrease pain levels, boost mood, and reduce stress.
- Engaging in physical activity can positively impact general pain levels and mental health.
When arthritis tries to slow you down, exercise can help keep you moving. If you need guidance, or just feel like you are hitting a brick wall, reach out to any of your Original Strength Institute coaches or shoot me a message at Drkurt@osi-institute.com.
Dr. Kurt Brooks
Dr. Kurt Brooks is OSI's in-house physical therapist with almost 30 years experience. He continues his loves of anatomy and biomechanics, of life-long learning, of caring for others and of movement by incorporating Original Strength concepts into his clinical practice and daily life.
Click on his name to head over to the OSI Physical Therapy page. You can learn more about the OSI physical therapy services and/or schedule an appt with Dr. Kurt.
