Arthritis Water Exercise - How it Helps and Tips

What is arthritis water exercise, and how do such exercises help sufferers of the condition?

Exercise in any form constitutes an integral component in treating arthritis. Many studies have proven that exercise builds strength and boosts health, yet need not be hard on your joints.

Exercise can strengthen bones and the muscles surrounding them, increase energy levels, control weight and improve well-being - all important factors when dealing with arthritis. Pain or stiffness in the joints and surrounding muscles generally cause an individual to lose mobility, in large part because momentarily movement increases pain. However, such long term immobilization causes joint, muscles and ligament to weaken and lose their range of motion. In addition, muscles may shorten or contract chronically, causing increased pain and difficulty with everyday tasks.

Arthritis water exercises that can work to relieve the condition include specific hydrotherapies, aquatic aerobics, and swimming. Warm water exercises especially help ease stiff joints, build strength, and relax sore muscles. Water’s buoyancy reduces pressure on joints by providing a feeling of weightlessness; thus, exercises that would be impossible for an arthritic individual on land can be performed with in ease in water. Water also provides some resistance, so that muscles can increase in strength over time.

Exercising in warm water may be appropriate for some patients, though not all. If your symptoms respond well to heat, the benefits may include muscle relaxation, decreased pain and stiffness, and greater mobility.

Arthritis water exercises can be especially appropriate for individuals who have advanced arthritis and who cannot use other forms of exercise. Once some mobility has been restored through consistent practice in the environment, other exercise routines can be attempted.

To be truly beneficial, arthritis water exercise should include at least 20 to 30 minutes of sustained movement (rather than merely standing in the water). Many arthritic sufferers have some initial concerns regarding exercise in water, especially if their range of motion has been severely restricted. They may fear drowning or additional discomfort from flailing around if they have not been used to water.

Certain pieces of equipment, such as the AquaJogger, can make exercise in water more reassuring to these individuals. It helps, too, to have an instructor on hand, as well as to stay initially in the shallower end of the pool. Many aquatic clubs have classes for individuals with similar conditions, so arthritis water exercise in groups can be helpful. The AquaJogger can be used in the deeper end of the pool, so that standing and walking on the bottom will be unnecessary. A form of flotation device, similar pieces of equipment allow the user to move while building strength and endurance.

Several basic water exercises to attempt include upper body exercises, running and walking, as well as water aerobics, which have increased in popularity in recent years. The movements in water mirror those on land.

Always begin the arthritis water exercise session with a series of warm ups that have easy, slow, smooth motions. The main session should eventually work up to be approximately 20 minutes in length. A cool down period concluding the exercise session should include some static or fixed stretches. As you become familiar with the exercises and the range of motion in water, begin to work more vigorously against the water’s resistance so as to build strength.

If you do not have access to aquatic facilities through your local community center or fitness facility, you may wish to consider the purchase of a home spa or pool, which can be deducted from income tax as a medical expense, provided your medical practitioner recommends the purchase.

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