Arthritis and Exercise
7 Lifestyle Changes to Keep You Moving
Arthritis can turn exercising into a major challenge and without some necessary changes, can stop you in your tracks. Over time, you might notice muscle loss, less flexibility, and worsening joint problems, which makes exercise even more difficult.
It’s tempting to avoid movement when you’re in pain, but this makes everyday tasks harder over time and may even lead to weight gain, which puts extra strain on your joints. The good news? A few smart lifestyle changes can help you stay active and manage arthritis.
Exercise
Choose joint-friendly activities like walking, swimming, or yoga. Low-impact exercises help you stay active without putting too much pressure on your joints. Yoga is especially great for improving strength, flexibility, and balance.
Lose Weight
Losing weight reduces the strain on your knees, hips, and other weight-bearing joints. Less pressure means less pain, making it easier to stay active.
Heat and Cold Therapy
Using heat and cold therapy can help ease pain and inflammation. Cold therapy numbs sore areas and reduces swelling, while heat relaxes stiff joints and improves circulation, making movement less painful.
Foam Roller
A foam roller can be a great tool for managing arthritis. It helps loosen tight muscles, improves flexibility, and boosts blood flow around your joints, which can reduce inflammation and promote healing.
Support Inserts
Supportive shoe inserts can align your feet, absorb shock, and reduce stress on your joints. These can bring pep back in your step while protecting your knees, hips, and back.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture can provide relief by stimulating your body’s natural painkillers and reducing joint inflammation. It also improves blood flow and relaxes tight muscles, which can help with mobility and comfort.
Omega 3
Omega-3 fatty acids are a powerful way to fight inflammation and reduce arthritis pain. They also help lubricate your joints, improving flexibility and making movement more comfortable.
Arthritis doesn’t have to stop you from staying active. Incorporating anti-inflammatory foods like Omega-3s, using supportive shoes, and trying therapies like acupuncture or heat and cold treatments can help you stay on the move. With the right approach, arthritis doesn’t have to hold you back from reaching your fitness goals.
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*Health and wellness coaches engage in evidence-based, client-centered processes that facilitate and empower clients to develop and achieve self-determined, health and wellness goals. We do not diagnose, interpret medical data, prescribe or de-prescribe, recommend supplements, provide nutrition consultation or create meal plans, provide exercise prescription or instruction, consult and advise, or provide psychological therapeutic interventions or treatment.
