Arthritis is a condition where the joints become swollen, hot, and often painful. One joint that is commonly affected by arthritis is the knee, the largest joint in the body. Arthritis affects millions of people around the world. Two of the most common types are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Both types often lead to knee pain.  

What Type of Exercises Are Good for Arthritis?

Exercises can also be recommended by your doctor since exercising painful joints can be very difficult. There are many fitness routines suitable for arthritis patients and these exercises would focus on three things,

  • Range of Motion Exercises which are done daily,
  • Strengthening Exercises performed on alternate days,
  • Endurance Exercises are done for 20 – 30 minutes three times a week.  

How Do These Exercises Help Us?

  • Exercises are most important to help a patient to cope with the disease.
  • It increases the body’s self-rejuvenating abilities.
  • Regular exercises will help in improving your mood, blood circulation, healing and energy in the joints and full body.
  • It also helps in maintaining a healthy body weight.

Which Are Those Exercises?

  • Isometric moves and wall slides,
  • Walking,
  • Swimming,
  • Bicyling,
  • Physical Therapy,
  • Rowing,
  • Pilates,
  • Yoga,
  • Tai-chi,
  • water exercises,
  • Acupuncture

These are some of the different types of exercises which can help you in osteoarthritis.   

Points to Remember

  • Always do warm ups before and after any exercise workout,
  • Never jump right into any exercise program as this could seriously injure the joints and muscles.
  • Exercise can strengthen certain leg muscles to help with the painful joints but you should never push yourself excessively.
  • If there is pain while performing certain activities you should stop doing them as you may cause more damage.

Always Remember

Even though there is no cure for osteoarthritis there are ways and means to manage the pain and the other symptoms in the body with a few helpful tips which can make a lot of difference in the overall lifestyle, health and fitness of the patient. It is important for people with arthritis of the knee to keep their doctor updated on what they’re doing.