There's an old joke that goes...
"It hurts when I do this."
"Well, then don't do that."
Arthritis patients hurt when they move. But, it is important for people with arthritis to keep moving and stay active. That message may seem contradictory, but it's not. It is known that exercise can benefit arthritis patients over time by:
Why Are So Many People With Arthritis Not Exercising?
There are myriad reasons why so many people who have arthritis avoid exercise, including:
It is difficult for an arthritis patient to realize that by not exercising and not staying active they are perpetuating the cycle of pain, inactivity, and disability. Exercise doesn't make arthritis worse. Exercise actually improves arthritis symptoms.
Study Reveals Activity Level For People With Arthritis
Data from a national health survey, which included 6,829 people diagnosed with arthritis and 20,676 people without arthritis, was analyzed and reported in the May 2006 American Journal of Preventive Medicine.
According to the data:
How Can Arthritis Patients Use The Data To Improve Their Activity Level?
Exercise should not be avoided by arthritis patients. Not exercising results in the aforementioned undesirable consequences including more pain, stiffness, inflammation, joint damage, physical limitation, and disability.
Arthritis patients should work with their doctors to develop the best treatment regimen to minimize pain. Arthritis patients must believe in the importance of exercising and believe in what is true about exercise and arthritis:
Related Resources
Sources: American Journal of Preventive Medicine, May 2006; Many people with arthritis skip exercise, Reuters, 4/20/2006; Most People With Arthritis Don't Get Enough Exercise, Newswise, 4/20/2006.
