Exercise - good or bad?
- I used to be one of those who thinks that exercise will make my arthritis worse but even since I started to exercise by joining a gym about 8 years ago, I have not stopped exercising since. First of all, you need to understand your body and need to pace yourself and not overdo it to the point to have flare-ups. If I am having a bad flare-up, I will just do little movements, rest the joints to avoid the extreme pain but will move the joints only to the points where I can take the pain. On the days of average flare-ups, I will keep the joints moving and that will gradually result in loosening up the joints and eventually unlock the joints and lubricate them. I also found out that weight training has also helped with my arthritis as now instead of using my joints to carry things, I am mostly using my muscles. So try to do weights on good days only. Good luck and God Bless to all of you.
- —Guest Marilyn Tsang
Hurts, but . . .
- I use an electric bike, I bike when I'm waiting for a stop light or flat. When its uphill, I use the electricity. The cruise control helps too.
- —Guest kaline
Exercise for RA helps
- On good days I exercise. On bad I do not. I feel better if I can do stretches and warm ups at least. Plus helps keep weight down too -- even if only a short walk helps.
- —rose.townsend
Exercise and RA
- The survey results reflect my life experiences - while exercise is good, anything that takes me past what I feel is a safe zone causes a flare that inhibits any activity for days.
- —Guest jennie_jo
It hurts
- I've waited to exercise til after knee surgery, but then the back was bad, so I'll start after spinal fusion. Well, I can barely walk through the grocery store, let alone around the mall and not around the neighborhood unless I have a chair. I have spinal stenosis, osteoarthritis, ankylosing/spondylitis and something with the facet joints. I'm in pain all the time and I won't regularly take pain meds because I don't want to be addicted, so I just accept the pain. I'm glad I retired early and had a few years to enjoy what I should be enjoying now with my husband retired. I've learned to keep going though because there is always someone who's worse off. I just wish I could at least walk more for exercise.
- —Guest katydid
Does exercise help or hurt arthritis
- Not when it's acute. In general I believe it is necessary, but if it's too painful, what's the point?
- —Guest Sumap
Exercise
- When I can't sleep because of pain, stretching exercises relieve the pain and my body feels better. Exercise is necessary for me.
- —Guest fran
Hope it's not hurting
- I HAVE RA AND OA NOW FOR 3 YEARS. HAD SOME PROCEDURES DONE WHERE I COULD NOT EXERCISE. I DO 30 MINUTES OF IN HOME WALKING AND WEIGHTS. WHEN I CANNOT I NOTICE AN INCREASE IN PAIN AND STIFFNESS. I'VE LOST 43 POUNDS IN THE LAST TWO YEARS WHICH HAS ALSO HELPED. I HOPE I AM NOT HURTING MY JOINTS AS I EXERCISE BUT I DO TRY TO KEEP FROM POUNDING OR OVERDOING IT.
- —Guest LINDA
Exercise and RA
- Having RA, I have to really listen to my body. If I feel really tired, I rest my body. If I dont get the rest that my body needs from being fatigued, I get flares and pain. When I feel good, I walk a lot and exercise. So, to me, listening to what your body is telling you is key. I cannot workout everyday. Sometimes, I just need to rest. I try to balance the two. So listen to what your body says. Rest when you need and excercise when you can.
- —Guest Lisa
Balance gentle exercise with rest
- My own experience is that society, especially corporate workplaces, expect too much of most people, so those of us with arthritis can get overwhelmed. I need more rest than non-arthritic people, and that need for rest often takes precedence over perceived external expectations for exercise. Moderate exercise does help me, but only if I am getting sufficient rest and relief from daily stress. For me, the key is to eliminate as many sources of stress and unreasonable expectations as possible. Next, get the rest that my body dictates. Usually, within a few days I get more energy, and can again start a gentle activity regimen: stretching, walking, stationery bike, etc., but not to the point of exertion celebrated by those who don't have to pay attention to sensible limitations imposed by chronic health conditions such as arthritis. We can't hold ourselves to their expectations. Keep in mind "Easy does it" - just do what is comfortable for you. Good Health!
- —Guest Hopalong
Gout & exercise
- When I do exercise,the inflammation in my foot-joints inflates with painful feeling. I am not sure about the internal chemistry of the body and changes in uric acid level and its relation with exercise. But one thing is sure, after the exercise, overall body feeling is excellent.
- —Guest Maz
Fibromyalgia form of arthritis pain
- When my financial situation was much better in the past, I had a membership to the YMCA. With that membership, I received lots of help from a personal trainer. I felt great during the exercise period that I had. I have been fortunate enough to get a treadmill for my home, which benefits all of the people in our home. However, it does not relieve the pain in my shoulders, back, and any other place that decides to hurt. If you are financially stable, I would highly suggest you work out at least 3 times a week or more--whatever is good for you.
- —Guest Pat S.
Exercise
- Yes, I have to limit what I can do to exercise. Even bike riding causes problems in my feet and knees for weeks. I just stay active, wearing my sturdy footwear everyday, and "working" around my house.
- —Guest tanya
RA and exercise
- I have aggressive RA and started exercising with the Wii Fit three months ago. I can now jog over 4 miles. I work out until I sweat every day and I have not felt this good in years. The added plus my BMI is normal and I have lost ten pounds. I just push through the pain. There are some exercises I can't do because of joint damage but I just replace it with a different one. I have joint damage in my feet but I use good running shoes. I did not choose a gym because of the germs, I am on Enbrel and other meds that lower my immune system. I also did not want to be stared at by the more able bodied. The Wii fit lets me stay home and do my workouts. I am now venturing out on the bike trail and I am able to take my dogs for a walk again. I have still have flare ups but I have been able to work through them. I feel better and my my ankles and toes are much more flexible. It has not changed disease activity but I am better able to cope and feel less pain and stiffness. I say get out there girl!
- —harleydiva1
Listen to your body
- I exercise regularly when I am at my optimal health. If I am experiencing a flare, I rest. That helps me to recover faster. When I am feeling better, I resume my exercise regimen and try to get adequate rest at night.
- —Guest VWB
