Belly Dancing Can Help Arthritis
Sunday November 30, 2008
It's advice that you hear over and over -- you should include exercise as part of your treatment for arthritis. Usual recommendations for gentle exercise include tai chi, yoga, water exercise, and any exercise that gently puts your joints through their range of motion. According to an article published in the September/October issue of Arthritis Today, you can add belly dancing to the list.
Belly dancing provides a low impact workout while improving joint flexibility and strength. Belly dancing can improve core muscle strength, relieve back pain, improve cardiovascular conditioning, improve balance and posture. Before you disregard belly dancing as "not for you" -- think about the benefits and the chance to learn something new.
Related Resources:
- Quiz: Arthritis and Exercise
- Pilates Soothes Osteoarthritis Pain
- Exercise Is Essential for Arthritis
- How Do Arthritis Patients Perceive Exercise?
- Over One-third of Arthritis Patients Get No Exercise
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Photo by Novic (stock.xpert)
Comments
I suffer from Lyme disease symptoms and I find that dance can help greatly in reducing inflammation and stiffness. I also feel that it helps increase the oxygen supply to the cells which helps with cell health. I think any form of dancing that you break a sweat and move in many fluid ways will help! Great info on lyme disease symptoms and treatments.
I agree. I don’t have arthritis but I have suffered from various injuries and a bad back and have found belly dancing loosens me up, which often helps pain (because pain is often associated with tightness).
The only thing to watch out for is - go to a traditional belly dance class rather than something advertised as “bellydance aerobics” or a “belly dance workout”. These souped-up cardio-style belly dance derivatives are fine for the young and fit, but doing belly dance moves at speed can put you at risk of injury.