Some who suffer from arthritis are hesitant to engage in physical activity because they are afraid it may cause harm to their bodies. Ironically, some of the pain these people are experiencing is due to the complications of inactivity, rather than the arthritis itself. Research shows that many people with arthritis are quite capable of engaging in physical activity. It is important that these people maintain physical health and fitness, as it leads to greater flexibility, strength, and an overall sense of well-being.
However, if you have arthritis, certain exercises can be difficult and even harmful due to the stress they place on the joints throughout your body. These exercises are usually high-impact and should be avoided. Exercises such as jogging and weight-lifting tend to exert pressure, or impact, on the body in ways that could be harmful. Luckily, there are other “low-impact” exercises that provide excellent health benefits without inflicting any physical damage.
One option is aquatic therapy, which is gaining popularity amongst sufferers due to its ability to provide a great workout with less stress to fragile joints. The buoyancy effect of water drastically reduces the amount of body weight that is acting upon your joints. In fact, if you are standing in shoulder-high water, only 10% of your total body weight is acting upon your joints. You will also experience an enhanced range of motion, and in turn, you can strengthen a wider range of muscles due to the resistant nature of water. The pressure of the water helps to decrease swelling and increase circulation, not unlike wearing a support hose. Also, the soothing sensation of warm water helps to relieve stress, and may allow you to do things you could not normally do on land.
If you are one of the many sufferers of arthritis who is hesitant to engage in physical activity for fear of doing physical harm to your body, aquatic therapy may be the solution to your problem. Ask around, or visit your local community facilities and see if they have any classes, hydrotherapy pools, or swim spas designed to help people engage in low-impact aerobic exercise. Many facilities will offer a range of water-exercise programs. Be sure to look for a qualified instructor who is knowledge about arthritis. If you find a suitable location, you will find that aquatic therapy is a relaxing and enjoyable way to relieve the pain and stress associated with arthritis. Not to mention it is a great way to socialize and exercise at the same time!