Three Walking Tips to Ease Arthritis Joint Pain

Arthritis, a condition in which joints swell, become stiff and painful, is most likely the result of lifestyle wear and tear in adults. As people age the cartilage cushioning and synovial fluid lubrication between the bones becomes thin. Everyday movements like walking or chopping vegetables can become difficult and uncomfortable.

The most common type of arthritis is Osteoarthritis which affects nearly 21 million Americans; the majority of which are women over the age of forty-five. Osteoarthritis gradually nibbles away at the cartilage that cushions the ends of bones causing pain and loss of movement. It can show up as morning stiffness to a weakness or weird ache like the ones that come and go in my right thumb and left toe!

Is arthritis discomfort starting to isolate you from friends and activities you love? The following recommendation can change your pace, physically and mentally. They will also fill your calendar with the joy of old friends, new friends, and fur-friends.

Become an Animal Shelter Dog Walking Volunteer

One of my favorite ways to keep moving is to team up with paws. Four years ago I began volunteering two hours a week as a dog walker at my SPCA. This quickly became a beloved fail-safe workout. How could I not show up when I was often the only afternoon release for twenty something pups?

Neither snow, nor rain, or heat, laziness, fatigue nor pain kept me away from this rendezvous. The health benefits piled up. In the first month I dropped seven pounds probably because that one session felt so good I naturally added more walks with my own dog.

I also made a pack of healthy friendships, the two-footed kind. According to Gale Berkowitz of the renowned Harvard Medical School's, Nurses' Health Study, "The more friends' women had, the less likely they were to develop physical impairments as they age, and the more likely they were to be leading a joyful life." Between new girlfriends at SPA SPCA and finally getting to know my neighbors, my social life soared.

Finally, whatever you call it - "Helper's High" or "Giver's Gain" - it feels GREAT. Puppy love is a sure-fire way to get rid of fatigue - fast! Many a day I walked in tired, frustrated or sad. Every day I walked out energized, clear-minded and inspired.

To find your closest animal rescue organization and become a volunteer, go to: www.PetFinder.com I recommend you invite a friend to join you and make it a weekly girl's walk about!

Join Arthritis Foundation Walking Events

In the Spring and during winter holidays, the Arthritis Foundation sponsors "Let's Move Together" nationwide walking events and fundraisers. Pet owners are encouraged to include their dogs to add to their enjoyment, but also as a reminder to all about the arthritis joint pain relief of dog walking.

According to rheumatologist, Virginia Byers-Draus, M.D., "pets "act like Valium, but with no side effects." Furthermore she states that "people with severe arthritis move even less than sedentary people. Pets bring activity, and from activity springs health."

Obtain additional information and register for the upcoming Jingle Bell Run and Walk at
www.arthritis.org. The first event will be held, of course, in the North Pole on July 10th! The majority of Arthritis Foundation walking events occurs in November and December.

Proper Walking Shoes Ease Arthritis Pain

So obvious yet so overlooked ... walking shoes. Shoes that are too small, too pointed, tight or flat may look good, but will make walking uncomfortable and may destroy your feet for a lifetime.

Shoes that are too small discourage you from walking. Shoes that are too flat can provoke the need for expensive foot support ranging from custom insoles to foot surgery. Avoid the pain of plantar fasciitis, heel spurs, fallen arches and more by simply putting your money on your human paws.

I highly recommend New Balance walking shoes. I have a pair used only for volunteer dog walking (tax deduction) and a pair for my personal pack walking (I have five pups.) Ideally, I trade them in every six months for a fresh mount. To locate a store near you simply type "New Balance, your city, state" at your favorite search engine.

Many years ago my dentist told me to only floss the teeth I wanted to keep. It took me a moment to "get it." I hope this article inspires you to move the muscles and joints you'd like to keep enjoying starting with the tips of your toes, up through that big, beating heart and winding up to the crown of your inspiration and connection to spirit.

Maybe we'll bump into each other someday walking dogs at an animal rescue shelter or celebrating movement and friendship at an Arthritis Foundation Jingle Bell Walk and Run event.

Hope so. Ho ho ho!

Sources:

Arthritis Foundation
http://www.arthritis.org/jingle-bell-run.php

Gale Berkowitz - Nurses Study
http://www.womensdigest.net/departments/healfit/hf0505d.html

New Balance Walking Shoes
http://www.newbalance.com/performance/walking-toning/