Arthritis and Exercise

April 8, 2008

Dr. Pat E Belcher

Arthritis and related disorders can affect people of all ages. The prevalence of many of these diseases tends to increase with age. Although the cause of arthritis remains in question, most researchers agree it is caused by a number of genetic and environmental factors.

In 1993 the National Institute of Health estimated that more than 37 million Americans were afflicted with some form of arthritis. Until just a few years ago their treatment regimen consisted mostly of methods to control pain and inflammation. Arthritis and physical activity did not coexist in conventional medicine.

Today, ideas are rapidly changing about the value of exercise in patients with arthritis, just as they have changed about other chronic diseases. According to Dr. Mirian Minor of the University of Missouri School of Medicine, “Although research dealing with the relationship between arthritis and exercise is relatively new, we do know that appropriate activities can improve strength, flexibility, endurance and cardiovascular conditioning.”

The important thing is for the arthritic to acquire the exercise habit, and to build on it at their own pace. For those with good strength and minimal joint pain, low resistance and high repetition exercise is the best. This includes walking, swimming and stationary cycling. No matter what you do – perform it with regularity and approach the exercise just to the edge of discomfort. Remember exercise is like a bank account – it’s not always how much you put in, but how often you make the deposit.

Before and after every exercise session make sure your muscles are properly warmed and stretched. Gentle massage both before and after exercise helps muscles to recover from the activity. Make sure you pay special attention to the muscles that control your affected joints. I recommend percussion massage to the joints and I like the Panasonic Reach Easy. For myofascial massage to the muscles I suggest the Intracell Stick. The joint massager can be found on-line at www.panasonic.com and the muscle instrument can be viewed on the internet at www.thestick.com.

Remember these words of wisdom from Dr. Minor, “Regular exercise is at least as important for patients with arthritis as it is for everybody else.”

Dr. Belcher practiced chiropractic orthopedic for 42 years prior to his retirement. He has authored and published numerous articles on the diagnosis and treatment of myofascial and fibromyalgia pain.