Osteoarthritis is no fun.  Everyone who is reading this blog probably either has it or knows someone with it, so you all probably know that it is no fun.  It’s very uncomfortable and painful – especially if you do not take the right steps in helping it.  There are measures you can take to help out with OA a lot.  Having already gone over rest in an earlier blog, another really effective treatment is excercise.

What?  You don’t know any exercises for OA and aren’t sure how to start?  Well, first off, visit your doctor and discuss and exercise plan.  Your doctor should know which exercises are good for you, and possibly any sports you could take part in.  Most of the exercises beginners use include range-of-motion exersises, and low impact aerobics.  While doing the exersises it’s good to have a physical therapist or some sort of athletic trainer watch you.  At least when you first start, after you become used to it, it might not be needed anymore.

Any other tips?  Well, I have a few.

• Range-of-motion exercises are great for warming up.
• A lot of people with arthritis like to apply heat to their joints.
• Strengthening exercises are good, but start with light weights, and do them slowly at first.
• Progress is good too, but make sure it is slow progess.
• Ease off if your joints start to hurt of become to uncomfortable.