Benefits of Exercise for Arthritis
Physical activity is the best non-drug treatment for improving pain and function with osteoarthritis. In fact, exercise is considered the most effective non-drug treatment for reducing pain and improving movement in patients with osteoarthritis.
While you may worry that exercising with osteoarthritis could harm your joints and cause more pain, research shows that people can, and should exercise when they have osteoarthritis.
While you may worry that exercising with osteoarthritis could harm your joints and cause more pain, research shows that people can, and should exercise when they have osteoarthritis.
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Physical activity helps people with arthritis reduce pain and increase range of motion because the joint is surrounded by soft tissue called the synovial membrane, which produces a fluid that acts like oil in an engine, allowing your bones to move past one another more smoothly. Physical activity encourages the circulation of that fluid.
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Regular physical activity can keep the muscles, tendons and ligaments around affected joints strong, decrease bone loss and can help control joint swelling and pain. When these tissues are strong, they act like a brace to protect and lessen pressure on weakened joints.
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