Staying Active With Aching Joints

The challenge of staying active gets worse when your joints are giving you problems. Joint pain can be debilitating. But, it doesn’t have to end your physical activity. Having an active lifestyle can help soothe your joint pain. So, don’t let joint pain make you give up your morning jog yet. Here are some ways staying active can help you deal with aching joints.

Exercise and Arthritis

The debilitating pain of arthritis can drain your energy, but exercise can help you regain it. If you have arthritis, it’s crucial to stay active. Physical activity helps with circulation, which carries oxygen and nutrients to your joints.

Inactivity can lead to:

• Decreased pain tolerance
• Stiffness
• Muscle 
• Osteoporosis

Low Impact Exercise

It’s important to stay active, but your exercise routine may need modification. For instance, you’ll have to substitute vigorous activities for low-impact alternatives. If you like jogging, walking is an alternative that’s easier for your joints.

If your routine is high-impact, look for alternatives that don’t punish your joints.

Range of Motion Exercise

Joint pain also requires you to keep your range of motion intact. If the range of motion exercises are too much, going to the pool can help. Water makes you buoyant, and this buoyancy takes the pressure off of your joints. With no pressure on your joints, you are free to complete range of motion exercises. While in the water, you can do movements including:

• Rolling your shoulders
• Side lunges
• Knee lifts
• One leg balances

Weight Training

Also, strength training can help strengthen your joints.

Studies show weight training can reduce arthritis pain by 35%. Your muscles hold your joints in place, so strengthening them is vital. Stronger muscles help stabilize joints and ease arthritis symptoms. Although you may want to push yourself, listen to your body and take a break if your joint pain intensifies.

Pace Yourself

Starting slow and taking small steps are keys to success. You may have to start with exercising once a week in the beginning. But, you can build up the frequency of your workout routine. 

The best way to know how to begin is to get professional guidance. 

If you or someone you know has joint pain, call us today. Metropolitan Vascular Institute serves the Waldorf area, and we are happy to help. Call us at (301) 374-8540 to schedule a consultation.