Living Better with Arthritis
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Living Better with Arthritis
Living with arthritis can be challenging at times—you find you cannot do the things you want to do, because your joints do not have the proper range of motion to complete the task. In order to be able to do certain things, you should start an exercise plan, concentrating on range of motion and muscle strengthening. Strengthening muscles can help relieve some of the stress on the joints around the muscles.
Before starting an exercise program, you should consult with your doctor to make sure you are doing the proper type of exercises for your condition. Start out easy with simple stretching exercises. Only stretch as far as the pain range of motion allows. Stretch for 10 to 15 minutes prior to doing any endurance and muscle strengthening exercises. After exercising, you should also cool down by doing stretches for 5 to 10 minutes.
If your doctor has recommended any special dietary measures, make sure you stick to the recommended diet. If medication has been prescribed, take the medication as directed. With diet and exercise, you may be able to control arthritis pain, which will then allow you to do tasks you otherwise would not be able to do.
| Guru Spotlight |
| Lynne Christen |
