Don't let arthritis pain keep you from being physically energetic. The less you progress your joints, the less likely they're to take care of their full range of motion. Over time, the encircling muscles can shorten, making it very difficult to maintain moving. This can result in many other problems, including weight gain, difficulty walking, and poor balance. A consistent stretching routine to assist arthritis can enable you escape this vicious cycle.
If you may have arthritis, it's best to check with your doctor before starting any exercise routine, including a stretching routine. Once you're settled, try the following pointers to enable you start:
- Heat well. Take overtime to warm up before stretching. A warm shower or bath, a warm pool, and even warm compresses or heating pads can soothe stiff joints before you stretch.
- Stretch during your least painful time of day. Mornings won't work for some people, because that's when their joints are stiff. You can do stretches when the pain relievers are at their peak.
- Embrace the spread. Use pillows or rolled towels to regulate your range of motion in each stretch. Choose a seated stretch if needed.
- Expect some discomfort. While it's best to only stretch to the purpose of mild tension, not pain, you could experience some discomfort. Try these guidelines: If the pain lasts greater than two hours after stretching or other activities, or is more severe than your usual pain, ease up in your routine. Try to carry each stretch for a short while. As the stretch becomes easier, steadily increase it again.
No material on this site, no matter date, must be used as an alternative to direct medical advice out of your doctor or other qualified practitioner.