How Do You Use Exercise To Manage Rheumatoid Arthritis?
Exercise is an important part of managing rheumatoid arthritis. It helps keep joints strong and flexible. This helps them work longer and can enable a patient to put off joint replacement for some time. People with rheumatoid arthritis who exercise regularly also tend to maintain their independence longer than those who do not. Join a water aerobics class. Exercising in the water is wonderful for cardiovascular fitness and increases strength, flexibility and endurance. The buoyancy of the water makes this type of exercise particularly easy on joints. Find a water aerobics class near you through The Arthritis Foundation (see Resources below). Try tai chi. Tai chi is a very gentle type of exercise that involves controlled stretching and breathing. It is particularly suitable to people with rheumatoid arthritis. Use the Arthritis Foundation website to find a number of tai chi classes across the country (see Resources below). Do some yoga. Not every yoga pose involves twisting yourself up
