When it comes to trying to ease the pain and stiffness from arthritis, most of us would think that exercise could only worsen it. The truth is it can help.
Exercise will help improve the strength of the muscles around your joints and this, in turn, helps support your overall movement. With exercise, there are numerous benefits; it can help reduce tension, combat fatigue and help maintain your bone strength.
This summer, we have been blessed with some fantastic weather so we wanted to share the best activities that can help ease your arthritis pain. Of course, the thought of exercise in the heat or when your pain is severe can seem overwhelming. This is why we have focussed on calming and cooling activities to kick-start that pain relief.
Swimming
Nothing can cool you down faster than a dip in the pool or the ocean. When we swim, we work on all our muscle groups, and it helps build our cardiovascular endurance.
One of the great benefits of swimming is that it helps to reduce joint pain and burns off calories.
Be careful not to exert yourself too much, it might even be a good idea to talk to your doctor, swim instructor about the best swimming activities for you.
Golf
Golfing is a very relaxing sport (whether you golf professionally or crazily) and it comes with a number of benefits. It can help strengthen and tone your upper back, shoulders, hands, wrists, and legs. There is a lot of walking involved too which can help in relieving joint pain.
Pro golf tip for those living with arthritis: use a graphite shaft. They are lightweight and can help reduce vibrations in the arms and shoulders. If you have arthritis in your hands, you may also want to opt for an oversized grip to reduce pressure and tension on your hands.
Water Walking
Water walking is a low-impact cardio exercise. This means it is gentler on your bones and joints. Water walking reduces the pressure on the joints by up to 50%, compared to walking on solid ground. Another great benefit is water also gently massages your body.
Here is a great video on how to get started with water walking so that you can do it in the local pool or at the beach this summer.
Walking
While outdoor walking isn’t as easy as water walking, it is known to be a proven stress reliever. You can help to reduce joint tensions, improve your heart and lung health, strengthen your muscles and take in a nice sight or two.
The best options here are to search for smooth, dirt trails as they will be kinder to your joints over concrete or tarmac. Try to avoid uneven paths or downhill treks as they can put excess pressure on you.
Yoga
Yoga is a great ancient practice that can help you to restore balance. It is a slow-paced exercise that can help improve your arthritis symptoms, relieve stress, anxiety and improve your overall quality of sleep.
It is important to discuss your condition with your yoga instructor or ask your doctor to recommend a yoga program to help with arthritis.
Arthritis pain can hinder your day-to-day activities such as household duties, exercise, preparing food, and using household appliances.
The Uccello Kettle was specifically designed to help those with limited strength and mobility to allow for a safe and steady pour every time. Click here now for more on the Uccello Kettle.
For more information on easing arthritis pain, feel free to read more here
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