Arthritis? Get Out and Exercise to Relieve Pain!

If you have arthritis and your joints hurt, it can be difficult to get out and get moving. But if you want to feel better, it’s absolutely essential, according to chiropractor Dr. Dhanish Patel of Milpitas Spine Center in Milpitas, California.

Exercise helps maintain joint mobility, flexibility and endurance. And, of course, it helps to control your weight. According to Harvard researchers, swimming and bicycling are better tolerated than most other exercises for people with arthritis in the hips or knees. But strength training, water-based exercise and balance therapy were most helpful for reducing pain and improving function.

If you haven’t been exercising, start slowly. Take a five-minute stroll around your block, swim, or pedal an exercise bicycle. Gradually increase the time spent exercising or the intensity of your exercise – but not both at once. If you have health issues, check with your doctor before beginning an exercise program.

During acute systematic flare-ups or local joint flare-ups, patients should put joints gently through their full range of motion once a day, with periods of rest.
In addition to exercise, chiropractic care can help. By correcting joint and spine dislocations, a chiropractor helps keep your joints and muscles flexible and moving. Your chiropractor can also advise you on appropriate exercises, and changes in lifestyle and day-to-day habits that will help you feel better.

Scientific evidence supports chiropractic treatment as a way to combat arthritis. A University of Maryland Medical Center study reviewed the scientific literature surrounding osteoarthritis and concluded, “chiropractic, especially when combined with glucosamine supplements and stretches and exercise, helps treat OA.”

Treatment can relax muscles, increase range of motion and improve joint coordination, the study reported.

If you have arthritis, consider a visit to Dr. Dhanish Patel at Milpitas Spine Center. Dr. Patel and his dedicated team of chiropractors and therapists are focused on whole body wellness. They are dedicated to giving your body the support and care it needs to heal.

If you live in Milpitas, San Jose, Fremont, Sunnyvale or Santa Clara and are experiencing lower back pain, contact the Milpitas Spine Center for a complimentary consultation to see if we can help.