Exercise Tips to Try When You Suffer from Joint Pain
When your joints ache, it may seem logical that resting up is a good idea. However, the best thing you can do is get moving. Exercise is much more beneficial for dealing with joint pain because it strengthens your joints.
While it is true you should rest to a degree, too much rest is never best in these situations. Exercise can help you increase the blood circulation to the impacted areas and help you get a better range of motion.
Which Exercises Are Best for My Joint Pain?
If you’re enduring chronic joint pain from arthritis, low-impact exercises are the best place to start. There are many different options to choose from, so finding one that you enjoy is the best way to keep this healthy habit.
Walking is certainly an easy one to start with, but if you find that too boring, you can use a recumbent stationary bicycle, especially if you have knee pain. If you can access an indoor pool or for the summer months when it’s hot, taking water aerobics classes or swimming can help you get in more movement while easing the pressure on your joints.
You may also want to try using the elliptical machine at the gym, or sign up for a class for tai chi, yoga, or Pilates.
How to Get Started Exercising with Joint Pain
Perhaps the hardest part is getting started exercising when you haven’t done it in a while, or even if you’ve never done it. Don’t rush though…take it slow and listen to your body. You can work your way up in strength and challenge yourself more in time.
The exercises discussed above are all low-impact options to try. What you want to avoid are high-impact exercises that involve jumping, deep flexions of the knees or hips, and exercise bootcamps.
Even though exercise can be beneficial for you with joint pain, it is also important to listen to your body. Overdoing it on exercise can lead to more pain and flareups. If your joints swell or feel hot, take a day or two to rest and recover.
Above all, remember that doing something is better than just sitting there. Exercising with joint pain can look like a 5-minute walk down your street when your first get started. If you do this every day though, you’ll make progress and be able to increase the amount of time you put into it. You’ll also find that you’ll be able to do different things if you just get going with exercise.
It helps to have someone showing you what to do and who can tailor a workout to your needs. Working with a personal trainer who has experience in creating workouts for those with joint pain will provide the right exercises as well as the emotional support and motivation to keep going. With In Your Home Therapy, you won’t even have to go anywhere – we come to you!
