My Most Effective Arthritis Treatment: Exercise
Sometimes the best medications don't come in pill form.
My most effective arthritis treatment is exercise. When combined with a healthy diet rich in whole foods, I can go hours without the swelling, nausea and fatigue associated with rheumatoid arthritis.
Approximately two months ago I started supplementing my occasional dog walks with exercise routines on the Wii Fit. In addition to learning about yoga, stretching and starting to enjoy virtual skateboarding -- exercise has calmed many of my arthritis symptoms.
How Exercise Helps Arthritis
Mild to moderate exercise, including walking, aerobics, swimming and strength training, can improve flexibility and overall strength. These qualities help reduce joint pain and boost energy levels, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Exercise has become my new arthritis medicine. It's free, available anytime I want to take some and has positive side effects. In the last two months my scale says I've lost 12 pounds, I have more energy and daytime swelling from RA has lessened.
If you have osteoarthritis, exercise is crucial for knee health. For every pound of weight loss, you remove 4 pounds of pressure from the knee joints, according to WEBMD Health News.
My Arthritis Exercises
My drugs of choice are step aerobics and yoga. Neither activity puts excess pressure on my wrists, an area that flares quickly from too much pressure or overuse. To stretch my back and spine I do the sun salutation, half moon and torso twists. On a good day, I can also muster up a few cobra poses. To loosen my hips, I do the warrior and tree poses.
When I have extra energy, I enjoy walking my two vibrant and active dogs. Since they each weigh over 80 pounds, I walk them separately. We usually tally 2 miles during a lunch-break outing.
When you don't feel well, starting an exercise program can seem intimidating. After talking with your physician about exercise options, get active! Remember, starting with just a few steps for a few minutes can help. Gradually increase your duration and variety of movements until you find a program that works for your abilities.
More Articles From this Contributor:
My Arthritis Diet: Healthy Food Tips for Everyone
Rheumatoid Arthritis and Diet: Facts About Ginger for RA
Skin Conditions and Disorders Associated with Rheumatoid Arthritis
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Published by Angela Tague
Angela Tague has worked in news writing and photography since 1998. After attaining a BA in Journalism and Mass Communications at the University of Iowa, Tague's journalism career has led to positions at two... View profile
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