Arthritis is a condition that causes inflammation and pain in your joints. This can lead to a reduction in your mobility and in the long term it can lead to your muscles losing strength. There are a number of different types of arthritis and they will all present with different types of symptoms. Millions of people in the UK are living with issues that affect their joints and many of them will look to different types of Mobility Aids that are available from places like https://www.abilitysuperstore.com/ to help with their everyday activities.
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If you have arthritis there are a number of things that you can do to help:
- Exercise – although this might be the last thing that you want to do with sore joints, exercise can help to strengthen the muscles around your joints and can help to reduce the stiffness that can creep in.
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- Healthy eating – we all know that eating a healthy, balanced and varied diet is incredibly important to our overall well being and our physical health. For those with arthritis it is important to ensure that you are not overweight as this will put extra pressure on your joints. There are also other nutrients that you will want to make sure that you include in your diet as these support joint and bone health.
- Therapies – you might be offered a number of different therapies such as physiotherapy or occupational therapy. The latter will help you with any adjustments that you need in order to be able to work safely and in comfort.
Gentle yoga for stiff and painful joints
Many people with arthritis avoid yoga because they assume it means complicated poses and a great deal of flexibility. In practice, much of it is a flow exercise, moving gradually from one position to the next so that muscles stretch gently in between rather than being forced.
Some styles focus on holding poses and others on freer movement, but every form can be adapted. Blocks, pillows and other props help you stay comfortable, and poses can be modified to suit what your joints will allow. Yoga also puts far less strain on the joints than running or high intensity workouts, which makes it a good fit for arthritis and similar conditions.
If weight bearing exercise is too painful, chair yoga keeps the joints moving while you stay seated, and it suits people who use mobility aids. Speak to your GP before you start so you know which precautions and adjustments to take into a class.
Everyday habits that help protect your joints
Alongside treatment and practical aids, a few daily habits can help keep joints as strong as possible. Exercise builds strength in the muscles around a joint, which helps to stabilise it and supports more flexible movement. For someone with arthritis, gentle and regular activity is usually more useful than occasional bursts of effort.
Diet plays a part too. Oily fish rich in omega 3 can help with joint lubrication, and plenty of green leafy vegetables supports good bone health. Vitamin D and calcium are both essential for strong bones, so it is worth making sure you get enough of each.
Posture is easy to overlook. When the body is well aligned, the bones are stacked as they should be, which reduces stress and tension on the joints. Check how you are sitting several times a day and correct yourself if you notice you have started to slouch or slump in your chair. Mobility aids can also give support where a joint needs it, whether the problem is temporary or long term.