YOUR JOINTS AND EXERCISE
Getting appropriate amounts of exercise and developing a healthy lifestyle are necessary in the battle against arthritis.
Most people that are at a risk for developing arthritis are obese or overweight, and some are merely unaware
if exercising and placing stress on the joint would benefit their situation.
You would think that increased movement would damage your already sore joints.
So how would increasing use of the damaged joint help?
INCREASED BLOOD FLOW
It’s the obvious answer, but exercise gets everything moving! Blood gets pumping even more throughout your body when you exercise, even in your swollen joints. The tissue then can get the nutrients and fresh oxygen it needs to promote healing and improved activity.
THE CELLULAR TRASH GETS TAKEN OUT
Physical activity triggers a biological process known as autophagy, which is your body identifying damaged cells as unnecessary. Once your body decides that these “floating” cells are garbage, it disposes of them through continual blood circulation.
REBUILDING CARTILAGE WALLS
Though the cause is unknown, observational research shows that even through degenerative joint disease, patients can see their cartilage walls be rebuilt when they exercise regularly. Cartilage is the hardest tissue surround the joint and having a solid cartilage wall will enable you to exercise more and more frequently after a duration of time.
JOINT MUSCLE BUILD
When the tissues and muscles surrounding the joint are strong, they protect and cushion the weak joints. Ligaments and tendons also build up strength and contribute to the healthy cocoon that surround the affected joint. Much like rebuilding the cartilage walls, muscle is another tissue that can securely protect your body when suffering from arthritis.
GENERATED SYNOVIAL FLUID
The synovial membrane surrounds all your joints, and it produces a smooth fluid that allows your bones to move around each other effortlessly. Usually, if you have a degenerative joint disease, this fluid lessens and can cause an arthritis flare up.
Physical activity promotes movement of the synovial fluid that lubricates your joints and results in less chronic pain for you.
Blood circulation is crucial to attaining the highest quality of lifestyle when diagnosed with a degenerative joint disease like arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis has been proven to block blood flow in body parts like arms, legs, and elbows. The reduced blood flow can lead to coronary artery disease, inflammation, and narrowed veins.
These complications create heart conditions that are chronic, inflamed, and damaging to blood vessels. This puts arthritis patients at more of a risk for heart attack, stroke, heart disease, and even heart failure.
If you are someone with any of the types of arthritis, please be sure to exercise in low impact activities and place an emphasis on stretching in order to promote the best movement and healing to promote the best amount of blood circulation possible in your body.
Please consult your doctor or physical therapist when deciding what exercise plan would work best for you in your specific arthritis situation.
