Rheumatoid Arthritis Exercises
Rheumatoid arthritis exercises are important to do if you suffer from rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis is a disease that causes chronic inflammation of the joints, tissues around the joints as well as other organs in the body. It is an autoimmune disease which is an illness that occurs when the body tissue is mistakenly attacked by its own immune system. Because rheumatoid arthritis can affect multiple organs of the body, it is referred to as a systemic illness and is sometimes called rheumatoid disease. An important component in staying healthy if you have rheumatoid arthritis is exercise. Your local Arthritis Foundation chapter is a great resource for providing information on specific rheumatoid arthritis exercises. There are three types of rheumatoid arthritis exercises that you should commit to performing on a regular basis. The first rheumatoid arthritis exercise you should do is called flexibility exercises.
This is basically stretching and range of motion exercises. Flexibility exercises should be done every day and is considered the most important of the three types of exercises. It is important to do flexibility exercises to help protect the joints by reducing the risk of joint injury. Flexibility exercises also help you to warm up for more strenuous exercises. These exercises get your body moving and help you relax and release tension. Some examples of these exercises are tai chi and yoga. You should do 15 minutes of flexibility exercises a day before moving onto more strenuous exercises. It is important to remember not to move any joint pass the point of pain or resistance. No two rheumatoid arthritis patients will demonstrate the same amount of flexibility. Strengthening or resistance exercise is the second type of rheumatoid arthritis exercise you should do. If you have rheumatoid arthritis, strong muscles help to lessen the stress on your joints. Strengthening exercises help you to build your muscles so they can absorb shock and protect your joints from injury. Strengthening exercises use weights or resistance to work your muscles harder thereby helping them get stronger. Strengthening exercises should be every other day after doing flexibility exercises. Again, work within your limitations and do not move joints past the point of resistance. The third rheumatoid arthritis exercise is cardiovascular or aerobic exercises. This exercise is considered to be any physical activity that uses the large muscles of the body in continuous motions. Examples of cardiovascular exercises include walking, dancing, swimming, running and bicycling. Cardiovascular exercises can improve endurance, increase bone strength, improve sleep, help control weight and reduce stress, depression and anxiety. You should try to do this type of exercise three to four times a week. A good example of a beneficial rheumatoid arthritis exercise would be a water exercise class.
Rheumatoid arthritis exercises can help you lead a healthy and more active lifestyle. Pick activities that you can easily work into your day. Find a friend to join you to help encourage you when you need it. Always consult with your doctor before engaging in any exercise program. After your doctor’s okay, get moving to a more healthier you. See Also: | ||
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