Expert Consensus: Exercise Alleviates Arthritis Pain

Should a person with arthritis exercise? After all, it's difficult enough having to live with pain most of the time. The last thing any arthritis-afflicted person has in mind is working out.

Yet this is precisely what doctors are prescribing. They say it is better to move their joints than lie around, letting the aches and pain dictate their lives.

"My knees are throbbing. You want me to hobble around the park on them?" How preposterous!"

Dr. Nayan Patel doesn't think so. The physiatrist (physical medicine/ rehabilitation specialist) with the Texas Back Institute, says, "Not only is regular exercise the best way to prevent pain from occurring in arthritic joints in the first place, but those who exercise regularly also recover faster from existing arthritic pain."

He adds: "Arthritis patients exercise less because of the pain. That starts a vicious circle, because not only can it cause further joint problems, but general de-conditioning leads to increased fatigue in even normal day-to-day activity. And you kind of get into a downward spiral."

So a good piece of advice for those suffering with arthritis is -- EXERCISE! Don't trust your feelings. Will yourself to exercise, and usually, the "good feeling" will follow.

Is working out repair work? It is, says Dr. Charles Weiss, a clinical professor of orthopaedic surgery, who adds that exercise initiates a process that protects and helps repair joints damaged by arthritis.

The surface of joints is covered by a protective material called cartilage that allows joints to glide smoothly and painlessly, guarding against friction. When this wears out or breaks down due to injury or other joint diseases, pain and inflammation result.

Exercise increases the pumping action of a
fluid called synovial fluid that protects, provides nutrients and takes
away waste products from the articular cartilage.

In cases where pain makes exercise unbearable, physicians recommend
low-impact activities that do not aggravate the joints further, like
stationary cycling. It helps maintain active, mobile joints and further
conditions the thigh muscles to sustain their strength. Cycling also
protects the knee joint from further injury.

Running and jumping are an absolute no-no, as they put sudden sharp or very strong forces across the joint.

Another healthy alternative is swimming. The weightless
environment of water is perfect for moving painful joints without
dangerous repercussions!

Even if exercise does not cure your arthritis, it will improve
your well-being and boost overall health through increased energy
levels, better sleep and weight control (remember, every extra pound
you gain adds stress to your knees and hips). It will keep muscles
around the joints strong. It will maintain strong and healthy bone and
cartilage and it prevents depression and strengthens your heart.

Cod liver oil works wonders, too. This has been consumed for
generations to alleviate the pain associated with arthritis and joint
stiffness. Now, studies have shown that it slows down and even reverses
the destruction of joint cartilage.

According to Professor Bruce Caterson of Cardiff University in
Wales, UK, the fatty acids in the oil switch off enzymes that break
down cartilage. Experiments revealed that by exposing human
osteoarthritic cartilage to cod liver oil for just 24 hours, the action
of the degradative enzymes and swelling affecting the joint tissue
would be turned around.

Combine this with low-impact exercises, and you'd have
developed a formidable defense system against joint pain ... but only
if you stick to the plan.

Source: New Straits Times. Powered by Yellowbrix.