Arthritis Treatment News
Exercises for arthritis
Experts claim that people with arthritis who exercise have less pain, more energy, improved sleep, and better day-to-day function. Still, they tend to avoid exercising. “People with arthritis avoid exercise for a number of reasons,” explained Donna Everix of the Association of Rheumatology Health Professionals.
“Some avoid it due to fear of pain or injury, and others avoid if for the same reason many people without arthritis do – not wanting to make a lifestyle change.”
Inactivity, in addition to arthritisrelated problems, can result in a variety of health risks, including Type II diabetes and cardiovascular disease. In addition, decreased pain tolerance, weak muscles, stiff joints and poor balance common to many forms of arthritis can be made worse by inactivity.
Following are the four types of exercises that can have a positive effect on reducing pain related to arthritis and other rheumatic diseases:
Flexibility
Flexibility exercises help to maintain or improve the flexibility in affected joints and surrounding muscles. Benefits include better posture, reduced risk of injuries and improved function. When focusing on flexibility exercises, range of motion exercises should be performed five to 10 times on a daily basis while stretching exercises can be performed at least three days a week with each stretch being held for 30 seconds.
Strengthening
Strengthening exercises are designed to work muscles. Strong muscles improve function and help to reduce bone loss related to inactivity. For people with arthritis, one set of eight to 10 exercises for the major muscle groups of the body two to three times a week is recommended. However, older individuals may find that 10-15 repetitions with less resistance are more effective. The resistance or weight should challenge the muscles without increasing joint pain.
Aerobic
Aerobic exercises include activities that use the large muscles of the body in a repetitive and rhythmic manner. Aerobic exercise improves heart, lung and muscle function. For people with arthritis, this type of exercise has benefits for weight control, mood, sleep and general health. Safe forms of aerobic exercise include walking, aerobic dance, aquatic exercise, bicycling or exercising on equipment such as stationary bikes, treadmills or elliptical trainers. Current recommendations for aerobic activity are 150 minutes of moderate intensity exercise a week, preferably spread out over several days.
Body awareness
Body awareness exercises include activities to improve posture, balance, joint position sense, coordination and relaxation. Tai chi and yoga are examples of recreational exercises that incorporate elements of body awareness and can be a very useful part of an arthritis exercise plan.
Phil Mickelson reveals he has arthritis
Phil Mickelson revealed Tuesday he has psoriatic arthritis, which causes his immune system to attack his joints and tendons and produced such intense pain he couldn’t walk.
He noticed the first symptoms five days before the U.S. Open, and the pain eventually got so bad he made a visit to the Mayo Clinic.
Weekly shots have brought the disease under control, and Mickelson said there shouldn’t be any negative impact on his health.
“I’m surprised at how quickly it’s gone away, and how quickly it’s been able to be managed and controlled,” he said. “I feel 100%, like I say. But when I’m laying there on the couch and I can’t move, you know, yeah, I had some concerns. But I feel a lot better now.”
The arthritis is the latest health scare for Mickelson’s family. His wife, Amy, and mother are both battling breast cancer; the long-term prognosis for both is good.
More golf: Jaclyn Sweeney of Andover, Mass., shot her second three-under 69 to finish in a tie for medalist with Rachel Rohanna of Waynesburg, Pa., and Erynne Lee of Silverdale, Wash., after two rounds of stroke play at the U.S. Women’s Amateur Championship in Charlotte, N.C. The top 64 players advanced to match play beginning today.
Soccer: Neymar scored in his national team debut, Alexandre Pato added a goal late in the first half and Brazil rolled over the U.S., 2-0, in an exhibition at East Rutherford, N.J. It was the first match for both nations since the World Cup.
NHL: The New Jersey Devils are working on another deal to sign Ilya Kovalchuk. Less than 24 hours after an arbitrator ruled that the NHL acted correctly in voiding Kovalchuk’s landmark $102-million contract with New Jersey, team president and general manager Lou Lamoriello said the Devils will continue working to re-sign the high-scoring Russian.
Track and field: Jamaican star Usain Bolt is taking the rest of the season off because of tightness in his lower back, his manager, Ricky Simms, said. The announcement comes less than a week after Bolt lost to American rival Tyson Gay in the 100 meters at Stockholm. Bolt owns world records in the 100 and 200.
Cycling: Lance Armstrong pulled out of the Leadville Trail 100 mountain bike race in Colorado, a high-altitude race he won in record time (6 hours, 28 minutes, 50 seconds) last year. Armstrong spokesman Mark Higgins said that the cyclist is still feeling lingering effects of a hip injury suffered in a crash early in the Tour de France last month. Saturday’s race starts 10,500 feet and climbs 2,000 more.