If Nothing Else, Try Exercising in Water

If you struggle with exercising because of stiff and painful joints, you are not alone.  Many people with arthritis know they need to exercise, but doing it is another story.

Some exercise programs are too intense and full of high impact movements.  Even though the exercise would be beneficial, using one of those programs may just be harmful to your joints.  So what is an arthritic to do?

Try a water exercise program instead!  Exercising in a pool allows you to be weightless and, if done properly, does not cause any impact on your joints.  Check out this news video about a water exercise program in California.

Please note that in the second part of the news video (below), they do show someone jumping up and down in the shallow end of the pool.  I would not recommend doing an exercise like that if you have arthritis in your feet or ankles.

To find water exercise programs in your area, contact your local Arthritis Foundation chapter, fitness gyms or rehabilitation centers.

Good luck!

Exercise Those Arthritic Joints for Free!

When you have arthritis, it is important to keep moving those stiff joints.  One way to do that is through regular exercise.  Usually, a non-impact form of exercise is best.

 However, exercise videos can cost $15-$20 each and gym memberships can cost a lot more.  What if those costs are just not in your budget right now?  Well, here is an answer to that.

ExerciseTVoffers FREE full-length videos and mini-workouts.  They have videos for stretching, yoga, pilates and many other forms of exercise.  However, if you are looking for exercise that will not impact the joints, I would recommend sticking with stretching, yoga and pilates.

Check out the FREE videos on ExerciseTV.  You do not need to register in order to watch them.  Just select the video you are interested in and get ready to exercise.  It’s that simple!

If you decide you like the full-length video, then keep going back to the site on a regular basis to watch it or download it instead.  If you prefer to download it, there is a small charge.  The video I watched was $1.99 to purchase the download.  That is by far a much more reasonable price to work into your budget.

I do not believe that you can download the mini-workouts.  You may just have to keep going back to ExerciseTV to watch those.  Either way, it’s still FREE!

Enjoy!

Do You Think You Have Rheumatoid Arthritis?

Are your joints red, swollen and painful?  Do your affected joints feel stiff in the morning?  Do you feel fatigued or have muscle aches?  These are common symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis.

Rheumatoid arthritis affects 1.3 million people in the United States.  It is an autoimmune disease which must be diagnosed as early as possible to prevent joint damage.

If you think you may have rheumatoid arthritis, watch the educational video below.  Then make an appointment with your doctor as soon as possible.

You may also want to write down your symptoms, how long the symptoms last, where the pain is located, etc.  This information will be helpful to your doctor or rheumatologist.

Do You Have The Right Golf Equipment?

 

Yesterday, in When Was The Last Time You Played Golf, we reviewed some suggestions to keep in mind while playing golf.  Today it is all about the equipment.  Do you have golf equipment that helps to relieve the stress on your arthritic joints?  If you are not sure, do not worry.   Let’s take a look at what you might need.

The Arthritis Foundation recommends using the following items to help minimize the stress on your joints:

• Use a lower compression ball (for example, a 90 instead of a 100) so there is more “give” to the ball when you hit it.
• Use clubs with lightweight graphite shafts to help absorb shock better.
• Use a perimeter-weighted head on the club, also for better shock absorption.
• Build up the grip size on your clubs with athletic tape or a custom grip to help you hold them easier and to reduce stress and pain on your finger joints.
• If you have arthritis in your hands, try wearing wrist braces and gloves on both hands to stabilize your joints.
• Wear comfortable walking shoes or spikeless golf shoes.
• Whether you’re a veteran golfer or a beginner, consult your doctor or physical therapist before hitting the greens. An occupational therapist also can help advise you about any special aids or adaptive tools. A good conditioning program is essential for all golfers, but especially if your joints need extra protection. Proper conditioning can help maintain as much range of motion as possible in the joints and help reduce your chances for injury.

Now that you know what golf products you should be using to keep your arthritis in check, go check your equipment inventory.  Determine which items you may need before hitting the course. 

If you are still not sure which golf items are right for you, then try going to a pro golf shop.  Tell them your concerns or needs and they should be able to help get you started.

It may take you some time to find the right combination of products to help you adapt to playing golf with arthritis, but be patient and keep trying.  The more active we are, the better.