Even the healthiest people can find it hard to stick with an exercise regimen — and if you suffer from the joint pain of arthritis or osteoarthritis — the most common type of arthritis — which affects 27 million Americans, moving your body may be the last thing you want to think about. But regular exercise not only helps maintain joint function, it also relieves stiffness and reduces pain and fatigue. Many people believe arthritis is a crippling and inevitable part of growing old. But things are changing. Treatments and supplements are better and plenty of people age well without much arthritis. Arthritis doesn’t have to keep you from enjoying life. Learn the latest on the new exercise routine, supplementation and treatments for living well with arthritis.
1. Understanding arthritis
Arthritis is the number one cause of disability, affecting 25% of the population worldwide. It refers to a group of more than 100 rheumatic diseases and conditions that can cause pain, stiffness and swelling in the joints. Certain conditions may affect other parts of the body — such as the muscles, bones, and some internal organs — and can result in debilitating complications. If left undiagnosed and untreated, arthritis can cause irreversible damage to the joints.
According to www.myartrex.com “Arthritis continues to increase both in terms of actual numbers and symptoms, due most likely to increased longevity and active lifestyles. More than $ 8 billion is spent each year on drug treatment. In recent years, arthritis is being more actively treated, as greater emphasis is being placed on improving the treatment of the chronic disease for Quality of Life considerations.”
2. Living well with arthritis
Approximately one in every four people worldwide has bone and joint disorders. If you have arthritis, you may suffer from chronic pain. It can limit your ability to perform daily activities, leading to isolation. Over time, you may start to feel disheartened. But you don’t have to suffer in silence. Ask your doctor about treatments that can help you manage your arthritis pain and resume your daily activities. The choice is in your hands, whether to suffer silently in pain or to take a supplement that helps control the inflammation and pain, yet without the side effects seen with some of the prescription drugs. ARTREX by Bioved Pharmaceuticals, Inc. as a natural product for supporting healthy bones and joints may be an aid when prescribed arthritis medications are indicated. ARTREX was developed on the fundamental knowledge of Ayurveda, a highly validated medical science that documents the study and use of plants for medicinal purposes. ARTREX is an all-natural blended dietary supplement of herbs, working in harmony that have been used for hundreds of years and scientifically confirmed in clinical trials. Based on clinical trials conducted under protocols consistent with U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and American College of Rheumatology (“ACR”) criteria and guidelines, Bioved Pharmaceuticals believes that ARTREX is an effective and safe, natural supplement for long-term use in Bones and Joint considerations. Please consult your physician to determine how ARTREX can support your treatment needs.
3. Keep moving
According to a Special Health Report from Harvard Medical School Living Well with Osteoarthritis, if you have arthritis, you want to be sure your exercise routine has these goals in mind:
A. A better range of motion (improved joint mobility and flexibility). To increase your range of motion, move a joint as far as it can go and then try to push a little farther. These exercises can be done anytime, even when your joints are painful or swollen, as long as you do them gently.
B. Stronger muscles (through resistance training). Fancy equipment isn’t needed. You can use your own body weight as resistance to build muscle. For example, this simple exercise can help ease the strain on your knees by strengthening your thigh muscles: Sit in a chair. Now lean forward and stand up by using only your thigh muscles (use your arms for balance only). Stand a moment then sit back down, using only your thigh muscles.
C. Better endurance. Aerobic exercise — such as walking, swimming, and bicycling — strengthens your heart and lungs and thereby increases endurance and overall health. Stick to activities that don’t jar your joints, and avoid high-impact activities such as jogging. If you’re having a flare-up of symptoms, wait until it subsides before doing endurance exercises.
D. Better balance. There are simple ways to work on balance. For example, stand with your weight on both feet. Then try lifting one foot while you balance on the other foot for 5 seconds. Repeat on the other side. Over time, work your way up to 30 seconds on each foot. Yoga and Tai Chi are also good for balance.
References:
A Special Health Report from Harvard Medical School Living Well with Osteoarthritis www.health.harvard.edu
Arthritis & Rheumatology www.onlinelibrary.wiley.com
My Artrex, www.myartrex.com
Bioved Pharmaceuticals, www.bioved.com
