Arthritis
Stand Up to Arthritis
A long time ago, if you had rheumatoid arthritis, doctors wouldn't usually tell you to exercise, like going for a walk or a swim. They thought arthritis was just something that happened as you got older and meant you had to take it easy. But things have changed. Nowadays, studies and doctors say that people with arthritis can do more than just rest and take medicine. There's a whole lot more they can enjoy in life.
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What is Rheumatoid Arthritis?
Arthritis means swelling in the joints and is a term often linked to over 100 types of rheumatic diseases like gout, fibromyalgia, osteoarthritis, and psoriatic arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis is one of these conditions and affects about 1% of people in the U.S., which is around 2.1 million individuals.1
While it usually starts in middle age and is more common in older people, young people can get it too.
Rheumatoid arthritis leads to joint pain, swelling, stiffness, and trouble moving. It has some specific signs, such as:
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Joints that are tender, warm, and swollen.
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Feeling tired, sometimes having a fever, and a general feeling of being unwell.
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Stiffness and pain that stay for over 30 minutes after resting.
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The symptoms are the same on both sides of the body. If one hand is affected, the other will be too.
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It often hits the wrists and fingers near the hand the hardest but can also affect the neck, shoulders, elbows, hips, knees, ankles, and feet.
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This condition can go on for years and might impact other body parts besides the joints. 2
Chiropractors can assist in developing an individualized exercise regimen to:
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Restore joint mobility
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Enhance flexibility and endurance
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Boost muscle strength and tone
They can also provide nutritional advice and supplement recommendations to help manage and reduce joint inflammation.
Call our office today for an appointment.
Exercise and Rheumatoid Arthritis: Should You Do It?
Yes, exercise is very important if you have arthritis. It keeps your muscles strong, joints moving well, and helps with flexibility, stamina, and weight control. But rest is important too, especially to reduce inflammation, pain, and tiredness during active arthritis phases. It's all about finding the right balance: rest more when your arthritis flares up, and exercise more when it calms down.2 When experiencing a flare-up, it's recommended to move your joints gently through their full range every day, with rest in between. For advice on the best amount of rest during these times, you should speak with your healthcare provider.3
Exercise Recommendations for Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients
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Range-of-Motion Exercises: Such as stretching and dance, are crucial for preserving normal joint movement and enhancing flexibility. Recommended frequency:
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Daily, or at least every other day.
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Strengthening Exercises: Including weight lifting, are key for boosting muscle strength, essential for supporting and protecting arthritis-affected joints. Recommended frequency:
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Every other day, adjusting as needed for severe pain and swelling.
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Aerobic or Endurance Exercises: Activities like walking, bicycling, and swimming improve cardiovascular health, muscle tone, and weight management. Swimming, in particular, is highly recommended due to its low risk of causing stress injuries and minimal impact.
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Recommended frequency: 20 to 30 minutes, three times a week, adjusting as needed for severe pain and swelling.
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Chiropractors can tailor exercise programs for arthritis patients
We can assist in developing an individualized exercise regimen to:
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Restore joint mobility.
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Enhance flexibility and endurance.
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Boost muscle strength and tone.
Call our office today for an appointment.
Nutrition for Rheumatoid Arthritis Management
Medications for arthritis aim to suppress the immune system and decelerate disease progression. However, nutrition offers alternative support, potentially aiding in inflammation control and disease progression deceleration.
Beneficial foods and supplements include:
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Fatty-Acid Supplements: Like eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), and gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), which studies suggest can reduce joint pain and swelling, and decrease corticosteroid dependence.4-5
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Sources of EPA and DHA: Deep-sea fish such as salmon, tuna, herring, and halibut.
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GLA Sources: Rare food items like black currants and borage seeds.
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Turmeric and Ginger Extracts: May reduce inflammation and joint pain.
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Nettle Leaf Extract: Might inhibit inflammatory pathways.
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Dietary Choices: A vegetarian or low-allergen diet could also benefit rheumatoid arthritis management.
Always consult with your healthcare provider before starting any dietary supplements, especially when managing your condition with medications.
Your chiropractor can provide nutritional advice and supplement recommendations to help manage and reduce joint inflammation.
Call our office today for an appointment.
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Sources
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Questions and Answers about Arthritis and Rheumatic Diseases. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. February 2002. Available from http://www.niams.nih.gov/hi/topics/arthritis/artrheu.htm
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Handout on Health: Rheumatoid Arthritis. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. Jan. 1998, revised Nov. 1999. Available from http://www.niams.nih.gov/hi/topics/arthritis/rahandout.htm
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Questions and Answers about Arthritis and Exercise. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. May 2001. Available from http://www.niams.nih.gov/hi/topics/arthritis/arthexfs.htm
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Fortin Paul R., et al. Validation of a meta-analysis: the effects of fish oil in rheumatoid arthritis. J Clin Epidemiol, Vol. 48, 1995, pp. 1379-90.
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Navarro Elisabet, et al. Abnormal fatty acid pattern in rheumatoid arthritis - A rationale for treatment with marine and botanical lipids. J Rheum, Vol. 27, February 2000, pp. 298-303
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Call our office today for an appointment.