Arthritis does not just affect us in our old age, there are quite a few young people who are affected by arthritis. In fact, there are many types of arthritis. It can be overwhelming, and it is a fact that many of us will experience those achy joints. Sometimes sports injuries can lead to arthritis setting in as we age. If you have family members with arthritis, you may or may not experience the effects of arthritis.
Related Blog: Five Benefits of Chair Yoga for Seniors
Preventing Arthritis
Preventing the onset of arthritis, or living with the pain, is what we are going to explore. If you have a severe type of arthritis, you are probably being followed by your physician. It is always best to follow the direction of your physician and always ask if you should try something new.
Just because you have arthritis, doesn't mean you cannot discover new ways that work better for you. If you are an avid reader with regards to aging, you probably have read that staying active and mobile is important to keep arthritis at bay or minimize the pain and stiffness associated with this disease.
If you have already been diagnosed with a certain type of arthritis, there are things you can do to help maintain your arthritis as found on the Arthritis Foundation.
- Maintain a healthy weight is you know you have osteoarthritis.
- Smoking should be avoided if you have a diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis.
- Eating a healthy diet that is "low in sugar, alcohol, and purines" is best for a gout diagnosis.
Staying Active Doesn't Mean You Have to Do Vigorous Exercises
As noted in the Arthritis Foundation write-up on prevention of arthritis, "there is no sure way to prevent arthritis." If you presently have healthy joints, "do all you can now to maintain mobility and function." Let's look at simple ways to help with arthritis prevention that doesn't mean you have to be a triathlete.
Keeping active is important. You must remember to work all of your body's joints. That may be part of the problem that many of us forget. The most important thing to remember, it is not something you can do all at once to reap the rewards. You must consistently do a few things every day. It doesn't have to be a lot of anything. Just keep moving.
Exercises that Help With Arthritis
Here are just a few simple exercises that can help keep you moving.
Walking
Everyone knows that walking is a good way to lose weight, but there are other benefits to walking as found on the Mayo Clinic's Healthy Lifestyle Fitness. A brisk walk has a multitude of health benefits with one being it "strengthens bones and muscles" which helps in the fight against arthritis and arthritic pain. It can be beneficial to invest in a good pair of walking shoes.
Stretching
Stretching is a simple way to help strengthen your entire body. There are many benefits to stretching, and you should stretch a little before you go walking. You can help your posture and your gait with stretching. On considerable.com, there is a list of stretches that should be easy to help your range of motion and help your entire body feel better. Remember, if you have never done these types of exercises, go slow. You do not have to do as many as they recommend. Give yourself time to build up your stamina. Again, ask your physician for guidance.
On WebMD, you find that it can take just a few minutes to warm up your muscles and joints to help with arthritis pain. Being persistent with stretching can help you feel better all day.
Another reference for seniors is to follow an expert who is a senior herself. Miranda Esmonde-White, from Classical Stretch. She is a retired ballerina, and she has combined ballet, tai chi, and yoga to help people stretch to feel better. You can watch her short videos, such as her "Essentrics Aging Backwards #5 - Relieve Your Pain," that are usually less than thirty minutes. You may be able to find her on the PBS Channel for a 22-minute, stretching workout. As she will say throughout her videos, if you are new to any form of exercising, you do not have to be as good as she is. She has over forty years of experience. Just keep moving. She will teach you how to work from your fingers to your toes.
Keep Those Fingers and Feet Moving With Activities
Crafting is a great way to keep our hands in motion and our fingers mobile. If you love crocheting or knitting, it is a great way to keep your fingers in motion. Whenever you are sitting and enjoying a radio or television program, do some simple hand exercises. Let's not forget our feet.
At Jacaranda Trace, We Keep Your Body in Motion
You will have a wonderful lifestyle with many activities to do to keep your body in motion at Jacaranda Trace. You and your friends will enjoy supporting one another in our gym. Our water aerobics is always a great way to work your entire body. Just keep moving.
