A recent poll found people living with arthritis thought exercise, would be harmful for them. In fact, it’s the exact opposite. Exercise can help them with their mobility, pain control and flexibility. There’s no cure for arthritis, so even though it may hurt a bit at first, it’s important for these people to keep moving.
Here’s the story.
PHYLLIS COULTER DOES PUSH UPS REGULARLY. THIS SENIOR CITIZEN WORKS OUT WITH HER SON, WHO’S A TRAINER, TWICE A WEEK – EVEN THOUGH SHE HAS OSTEOARTHRITIS.
“I HAVE IT WORSE IN MY KNEES, IN MY BACK, MY WRIST, HANDS AND ITS SLOWLY PROGRESSING THRU ALL MY JOINTS.”
SO NO WONDER, SHE OFTEN FEELS PAIN WHEN SHE’S WORKING OUT.
“SOMETIMES IT HURTS, THE THINGS WE DO, BUT I WORK THRU THEM.”
DOCTOR DIANNE MOSHER, AN ARTHRITIS SPECIALIST, KNOWS EXERCISE CAN HURT A BIT, BUT SHE SAYS ONCE YOU GET MOVING, THE BENEFITS ARE HUGE.
“EXERCISE PARTICULARLY WITH OSTEOARTHRITIS OF THE KNEE, WILL STRENGTHEN THE MUSCLES AROUND THE KNEE, AND HELP SUPPORT THE KNEE, AND HELPS WITH PAIN CONTROL AND HELPS WITH FEELINGS OF WELL BEING, WE FEEL BETTER ABOUT OURSELVES.”
EXERCISE ALSO HELPS WITH BOTH PAIN AND WEIGHT CONTROL.
IN FACT A WEIGHT REDUCTION OF JUST 11 POUNDS REDUCES THE LIKELIHOOD OF OSTEOARTHRITIS OF THE KNEE BY 50 PERCENT.
IT’S JUST A MATTER OF CHOOSING THE RIGHT KIND OF EXERCISE, WHICH IS WHY DR. MOSHER RECOMMENDS GETTING STARTED WITH A PHYSIOTHERAPIST OR TRAINER SPECIALIZING IN ARTHRITIS.
“FOR EXAMPLE, IF YOU HAVE OSTEOARTHRITIS OF THE KNEE YOU MAY NOT WANT TO BE PLAYING BASKETBALL WHERE YOU’RE JUMPING UP AND DOWN. SO OTHER EXERCISES LIKE THOSE IN A POOL WOULD BE HELPFUL OR CYCLING, EXERCISE WHERE IT’S NOT WEIGHT BEARING WOULD BE BENEFICIAL.”
PHYLLIS EVEN DOES SOME MARTIAL ARTS WITH HER SON. IT’S THIS REGULAR EXERCISE THAT MADE IT POSSIBLE FOR HER TO GET TO THE TOP OF MOUNT REVELSTOKE THIS SUMMER – WITHOUT THE SHUTTLE BUS.
“MY FRIENDS I WAS WITH SAID LET’S GO, AND WE DID, AND WENT UP THE PATHWAY AND WITH THEIR HELP CLIMBING OVER SOME OF THE ROCKS, WE GOT TO THE TOP AND IT WAS REALLY GOOD.”
DOCTOR MOSHER SAYS ALL ARTHRITIS SUFFERERS NEED TO KNOW EXERCISE, EVEN THOUGH IT MAY BE PAINFUL AT THE START, WILL HELP THEM LIVE A MORE PRODUCTIVE LIFE – AND PHYLLIS AGREES.
“MOVE. DON’T STOP BECAUSE YOU JUST STIFFEN RIGHT UP AND YOU’RE IN A WHEELCHAIR BEFORE YOU KNOW IT AND WHAT FUN IS THAT?”
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The Arthritis Society has a new booklet out on this very topic. To get a copy of this free resource, you can call 1 800 321 1433, or visit the website