You’re looking forward to work the next day but in the morning, you wake up and find out you can barely move. Your joints seem swollen and just getting out of bed is a struggle. You’re not alone.
Over 350 million people around the world suffer from the debilitating effects of arthritis, the inflammation or swelling of one or more joints. This chronic disease is among the leading causes of disability and loss of productivity the world over and yes, it afflicts not just the elderly but everyone from babies to adults. Most forms of arthritis are thought to be caused by a faulty immune system where the body attacks its joint tissues, or in some forms, by a metabolic condition like gout.
While there are a hundred or so forms of arthritis, the most prevalent ones include rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune and inflammatory disease that affects many joints simultaneously, On the other hand, osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease that affects the hands, hips, and knees. It is also the most common form of arthritis.
Mobility can help ease the Immobility Issues caused by Arthritis
It may seem ironic that physical activity can help someone with immobility issues caused by arthritis, but it is the case. Exercise can help boost strength and flexibility for people with arthritis. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that adults should aim for a minimum of 150 minutes or about two and a half hours of moderate intensity physical activity weekly or half of that number to a vigorous aerobic activity like swimming or riding a bike. For people with arthritis, the key to exercising is to start slow and pay close attention to your body and how it reacts to the activity. Adjust the intensity of your exercise according to how your body feels.
Aerobics Exercise for the Heart
For people with rheumatoid arthritis, weight-bearing exercises can help prevent the loss of bone density. However, if rheumatoid arthritis has already caused damage to your knees or hips, lower impact exercises may be a better option. Brisk walking, bicycling, swimming, and water aerobics are some of these low-impact exercises. This same set of exercises can also benefit people suffering from osteoarthritis.
Aerobic exercise is good for heart health as well as improving lung function regardless of one’s health condition. For arthritis sufferers, it helps reduce pain, restore function, and decreasing fatigue. Aerobic exercise can be key to helping you regain your independence, being able to do daily chores and tasks on your own, and mobile to go where you want to go.
Low-impact Water Therapy for Arthritis
In gym or land based exercises such as walking, climbing stairs, or riding a bike can be very beneficial to arthritis sufferers. Exercising in water though offers a low impact alternative as it takes the pressure off your muscles and joints while providing resistance for strength building and at the same time, helping improve the health of your heart and lungs.
Debilitating diseases such as arthritis can keep us from living our best lives. The good thing is that we can do something about it. To regain your mobility, it takes movement. Physical activity, like working out in water, can help you recover your joints’ range of motion, reduce the fatigue caused by exertion, and ease the emotional stress of the affliction. Arthritis shouldn’t be a hurdle to living life fully. Once you get into the habit of moving, you can take back your life and move freely.
Healthstin offers hydrotherapy pools in Sans Souci clinic to serve as a venue for water- based exercises. Its experienced Exercise Physiologists and Therapists conduct hydrotherapy treatments to help people, including those suffering from arthritis, to gain the most benefit from water based exercise while minimising joint pain. If you want to get into hydrotherapy classes, just call 1300 090 931 or book here.