If you have Arthritis, off course, always check with your doctor before starting any new medicines supplements or exercise programs. I believe your doctor just might encourage you to walk. As I get older, “Arthur” has come to visit me and I started recently haveing sciatic problems. In doing some online research, I found great information on Walking with Arthritis from the Mayo Clinic—and I thank them for providing these invaluable tips to all of us.
I think most of us become more immobile when we are in pain (because it hurts to move) and that might be the worst thing we can do. Don’t think of exercise or walking as an Olympic sport or think you have to spend grueling hours exercising. Just small changes can help with arthritis pain and stiffness. See our blog article on the lady who started out just walking in her house 4 times a day.
Mayo Clinic says:
Exercise can help you improve your health and fitness without hurting your joints. With your current treatment program, exercise can:
- Strengthen the muscles around your joints
- Help you maintain bone strength
- Give you more energy to get through the day
- Make it easier to get a good night’s sleep
- Help you control your weight
- Enhance your quality of life
- Improve your balance
Though you might think exercise will aggravate your joint pain and stiffness, that’s not the case. Lack of exercise actually can make your joints even more painful and stiff. That’s because keeping your muscles and surrounding tissue strong is crucial to maintaining support for your bones. Not exercising weakens those supporting muscles, creating more stress on your joints.
There are several types of exercises you can do, but actually just staying active is important. Do you like gardening? If you have a dog, take him for short walks several times a day. Play with your children or grandchildren. Get up during commercials on television and walk in place. Just MOVE!
If you have arthritis, you should consider activities that are low impact—walking, stationary biking, water aerobics, etc. Normally when I decide to lose weight and exercise, I am like a maniac—exercising long and hard—and wind up stiff and sore and of course, I cannot keep that pace up. Start out slowly and gradually build. Consider using heat or ice to relieve pain or stiffness…and use your best judgement. You know your body and your pain levels. Do what you can and congratulate yourself on doing more than you did yesterday!
Again, check with your doctor first and anytime you have concerns
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