Proper exercise has been known to be of great benefit for patients with Arthritis. If done on a regular basis exercise should decrease the pain and improve the function and quality of life. Exercise is most beneficial when a person sets simple goals and follows a simple regimen. A health care provider should be consulted before setting off on any exercise program. This will decrease the risk of exercise related injuries and assure optimal benefits from exercising. Individuals not interested in a formal exercise regimen can turn their regular daily activities such as leisure walking, light swimming and clearing the driveway into a simple light cardiovascular work out.
Exercise related pain, stiffness and fatigue could be minimized with proper cardiovascular warm ups and cool downs. Warm ups decrease stiffness, reduce the risk of injury, and improve the blood circulation. Simple warm up activities include walking or biking at half the normal speed or marching in place. Cooling down is done at the end of exercising and when done right it helps to decrease post exercise symptoms. Such symptoms include dizziness, fainting, nausea and a sudden decrease in blood pressure. Cooling down activities include slowing down the pace of biking or walking, lifting lesser weights, stretching activities and gradually decreasing the rate of any activity. Stretching helps decreases post exercise sourness.
A person should avoid jerking movements and reduce the impact on the hips, knees and feet by wearing athletic foot wear or using shoe inserts. Extreme neck movements should be avoided in patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis. Exercise activity should start slow and gradually increase over time. Exercise does not need to be done in one single session to be effective; it can be broken up into 4 ten-minute sessions per day. Even though exercising every day is more beneficial than a couple of times a week, it is still better to do some exercising than to do nothing. When done correctly exercise should increase muscle strength, build endurance and better the overall health of the patient.
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References:
DeLee: DeLee and Drez's Orthopedic Sports Medicine, 2nd ed.; Chapter 13
Rakel: Integrative Medicine, 2nd ed.; chapter 48 - Rheumatoid Arthritis
Firestein: Kelley's Textbook of Rheumatology, 8th ed.; Chapter 67 - Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis
