Arthritis: Reduce Pain, Stabilize Joints with Exercise

There is a direct relationship between the amount of physical activity and arthritis symptoms, according to a study published in Arthritis Research & Therapy (March 2007). In this study, 4,780 middle-aged women (48-55) and 3970 older women (72-79) were followed for three years. Those who were most active had the lowest incidence of joint pains. This does not mean that exercise prevents arthritis, but it does show a relationship between an active healthy lifestyle and absence of joint pain. Regular exercise strengthens muscles to stabilize and protect joints.

If you suffer from arthritis, check with your doctor. If he agrees, you should be in a regular exercise program. Activities that use smooth motions protect joints, while sports that involve jumping, running or other hard forces can cause damage. The safest exercises for a person with arthritis are swimming and using an stationary bicycle. Start out pedaling at a slow easy pace with very little pressure on the pedals and try to work up to an hour a day. If you feel pain as you exercise, stop for the day and try again on the next day. More