Arthritis is a painful condition that can affect the joints of your hands, feet, wrists, and elbows. An injury or infection can cause it. The symptoms of arthritis may include joint pain, stiffness, and swelling.

As the population ages, the number of people suffering from stiffness and arthritis increases. Senior citizens are more vulnerable to this condition because they have already reached their physical limit and can no longer move their limbs freely. Their muscles feel uncomfortable, tight, or rigid. When our muscles are not stretched regularly or when we stop exercising regularly, these symptoms can develop.

SIGNIFICANCE OF MOVEMENT
The best way to prevent stiffness is to keep your muscles flexible by moving them regularly and stretching them after every workout session. You can also do some exercises that will help strengthen your joints so they won’t get stiff easily during old age.

Exercise is the most important factor in maintaining good health and keeping your weight under control. People who exercise regularly are more likely to be more fit or in shape, have lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels, and generally enjoy better health than those who don’t exercise.

Fortunately, exercise doesn’t have to take up much of your day — even walking the dog for a few minutes counts as exercise.

YOU CAN BOOST YOUR ENERGY
There are several ways to boost your energy level, including walking 1-4 miles daily. If you exercise regularly, you can also learn other ways to boost your energy level, such as taking a brisk walk. People with arthritis can go to water aerobics classes or take a walk around the block.

If you work at a computer for long hours each day, you might have trouble getting enough exercise. You can take breaks from your computer to get some exercise by walking around your office or by taking a break at lunchtime.

If you have trouble sleeping at night, try standing up and talking to someone in the room for a few minutes every hour or so. This will help keep your blood circulating and help you stay awake longer.

AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE TREATMENT PROCESS
Arthritis is a condition that affects joints and can cause pain, stiffness, and deformity. Arthritis symptoms can vary from person to person, but it’s often accompanied by pain in your hands, feet, hips, and knees.

It was once believed that exercising would damage the joints of people with arthritis. It is now known that patients with arthritis can improve their health and fitness through exercise without hurting their joints when arthritis is under control.

When it comes to arthritis, exercise is great medicine. Physical activity helps relieve stiffness and improve joint mobility.

More benefits from Exercise:

• An increase in energy
• Improve your sleep quality
• Keep your weight under control
• Strengthen your heart
• Strengthen your bones and muscles
• Boost mood by decreasing depression
• Reducing fatigue
• Enhance your self-esteem and sense of well-being
• Spend time with friends and socialize

You have more reasons to exercise if you have arthritis:

• You need to keep your joints flexible to prevent joint stiffness
• Strengthen the muscles around your joints
• To maintain the strength and health of bone and cartilage tissue
• As a means of improving your overall fitness

Keeping your joints healthy through regular exercise, along with medicines, rest, and other parts of your treatment program, will allow you to carry out your daily activities. Further damage to joints may also be prevented.

DIFFERENT TYPES OF EXERCISES
Your exercise program can include three types of exercise:

• Range-of-motion or flexibility exercises keep your joints flexible and reduce stiffness.
• Strengthening exercises increase or maintain muscle strength.
• Fitness exercises improve endurance.

You can have a healthy and active lifestyle with arthritis. Success comes down to knowing what type of exercise is right for you and sticking with your program.Consult your doctor or your physical therapist.

A physical therapist or your doctor can give you personalized advice on which exercises are best for your condition and help you develop an effective program that fits into your lifestyle.