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Lizzi Farrell-Humphrey takes a look at arthritis and some options available to help reduce symptoms.

Arthritis is a painful condition that affects many people in the UK. As well as causing pain it can cause stiffness and difficulty with movement. Activities such as walking or climbing stairs can become difficult and uncomfortable. However, exercise can help to reduce these symptoms, as well as improving joint mobility.



illustrations showing pain zones in skeletal zones within the body
Arthritis is a painful condition

Physiotherapy is a great way to get started with exercise if you have arthritis. There is no one-size-fits-all answer to managing arthritis. A physiotherapist can create a tailored exercise programme that is suited to your needs and abilities. They can also provide tips on how to safely exercise with arthritis.

Education into the self-management of pain is also important for patients ie advising on use of modalities such as heat and ice, relaxation techniques and coping strategies. There are many different types of exercise that can help arthritis, such as aerobic exercise, strength training, and stretching. It’s important to find an exercise routine that you enjoy and can stick to. Regular exercise will help to improve your overall health and wellbeing, as well as reducing the symptoms of pain and inflammation associated with arthritis. So, why not give it a go? You may be surprised at how much exercise can help improve your quality of life.

Here are some simple exercises that can help with arthritis:

1) Walking: Taking a brisk walk is a good way to get exercise and help loosen up stiff joints.

2) Swimming: Swimming is a low-impact exercise that can be great for people with arthritis. It helps to stretch and strengthen the muscles around the affected joints.

3) Yoga: Yoga is a mind-body exercise that can be helpful for people with arthritis. The poses can help to stretch and strengthen the muscles around the affected joints.

4) Pilates: Pilates is another exercise that can be helpful for people with arthritis. It helps to improve flexibility and strength.

5) Physiotherapy: If you find it difficult to exercise on your own, you may want to consider physical therapy. A therapist can help you develop an exercise program that is tailored to your needs. Physiotherapy can play a key role in helping people with arthritis to exercise safely and effectively. Physiotherapists can prescribe specific exercise programmes and can provide advice on how to reduce pain and inflammation. They can also help people to adapt their activities of daily living to make them more arthritis-friendly.

Strength training is particularly important for people with arthritis. Strength training can help improve joint stability and muscle strength, which can help to reduce pain and inflammation. A physiotherapist can help you to design a strength training programme that is safe and effective for you.



Two skeletons next to each other with various sections showing Some differences between Rheumatoid arthritis and Osteoarthritis
Some differences between Rheumatoid arthritis and Osteoarthritis

Range of movement exercises are also important for people with arthritis. These exercises can help to keep the joints flexible and improve overall range of motion. A physiotherapist can help you to find the right range of movement exercises for you, and can provide tips on how to make these exercises more effective.

If you have arthritis, it is important to talk to your physiotherapist about the best way to include exercise in your daily routine. Exercising regularly is an important part of managing arthritis, and physiotherapy can help you to exercise safely.

If you have arthritis and are looking for more information on exercise and physiotherapy, please contact The Well Balanced Centre for an initial assessment. We would be happy to help you get started on the right path to better health.


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