Yes, You Can Still Work Out If You Have Arthritis

When your joints are swollen and achy, exercise is the last thing on your mind. But working out is one of the best things you can do to relieve your arthritis symptoms.

At Addison Pain + Regenerative Medicine in Addison, Texas, our pain management expert Dr. John East believes in the power of movement when it comes to pain control. It may sound counterintuitive, but you can still work out if you have arthritis. 

Read on to learn more.

Working out with arthritis

Arthritis affects people of all ages and is one of the most common causes of disability in adults in the United States. Arthritis is when your joints are inflamed, swollen, and stiff. 

You can develop arthritis from many conditions, but most people experience joint pain from a degenerative form of arthritis called osteoarthritis, the wearing of the cartilage that cushions your joints.

When your joints hurt, exercise may not sit at the top of your to-do list. But moving your joints is one of the best things you can do to ease your pain. Benefits of working out with arthritis include:

• Strengthening the muscles that support your joint
• Improving joint flexibility
• Maintaining bone strength
• Supporting weight management
• Benefiting balance
• Boosting mood

Exercise also triggers the release of your body’s natural painkillers, helping you feel good and easing some of your discomfort.

Good exercises for arthritis

If you have arthritis, exercising is good, but not all exercises are good for people with arthritis. Our pain experts customize workout plans based on your arthritis type and the joints affected. 

The goal of your workout plan is to improve your joint health without exacerbating your pain or causing further joint damage. Good exercises for arthritis include:

Stretching

Stretching exercises, also called range-of-motion (ROM) exercises, stretch the muscles, ligaments, and tendons that support your joints. This exercise improves mobility and flexibility, so your joints are less stiff. It also improves movement, lowering your risk of injuries and falls.

Strengthening

Strengthening workouts focus on building muscles that support your arthritic joint. The more support your joint has, the less stress it endures, slowing the degenerative process.

Low-impact cardio

Cardiovascular workouts improve circulation to your inflamed joint, supporting your body’s natural healing process. It also works out your whole body, which is good for your heart and lungs and helps with weight management.

How to protect your joints

If you have arthritis and want to work out, consult your doctor first. The goal of working out is to improve your joint health, so you need to take steps to protect them. This means no high-impact activities like jogging or basketball. Biking and swimming are joint-friendly workouts.

You also want to go slow. Your joints are no doubt stiff and painful, so take it easy when starting your workout routine. Begin with stretching, going as far as your body allows, and then include some light aerobic activity like walking or bike riding. When your joints start hurting, it’s time to stop.

You can expect some joint pain following your workout, but this doesn’t mean you should stop altogether. Ice your joints to reduce pain and swelling and heat your muscles before your workout to reduce your risk of post-workout pain.

You can and should work out if you have arthritis. Movement is good for your joints and the disease. 

We can help you create a plan that fits your needs and goals and provide other pain management treatments. Call our office today at 972-380-0000 or use the book online button to schedule an appointment.