{"id":1996,"date":"2013-10-12T15:55:22","date_gmt":"2013-10-12T22:55:22","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/medicalfitnessnetwork.org\/?p=1996"},"modified":"2015-06-08T09:17:01","modified_gmt":"2015-06-08T16:17:01","slug":"arthritis-and-exercise-3","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/medfitnetwork.org\/public\/all-mfn\/arthritis-and-exercise-3\/","title":{"rendered":"Benefits of Exercise for those with Arthritis"},"content":{"rendered":"

Arthritis and other rheumatic conditions are among the most common chronic diseases, affecting 80 million US adults (CDC 2010), and are the leading cause of disability among US adults (CDC 2010).\u00a0 Costs to the US economy total more than $128 billion annually & \"Arthritis\"<\/a>results in 39 million physician visits annually and more than a half million hospitalizations according to The Arthritis Foundation.<\/p>\n

Individuals with chronic disease such as arthritis may live normal and productive lives with the help of disease management strategies.\u00a0 The most important strategies for preventing and managing arthritis are proper nutrition, regular exercise, relaxation and stress reduction, medical management, and regular health and medical screenings.<\/p>\n

Physical disuse and disability in people with arthritis are major contributors to premature aging.\u00a0 It is clear that disuse is devastating to the physical body.\u00a0 There is no doubt that appropriate and individually designed exercise can enhance the vitality and quality of life for the person with arthritis.<\/p>\n

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative joint disease and is the most common form of arthritis.\u00a0 It is characterized by a gradual loss of cartilage from joints and, in some people, joint inflammation.\u00a0 Although osteoarthritis can affect almost any joint, it most often affects the joints of the hands, knees, hips, and spine.\u00a0 Common symptoms include pain, stiffness, and loss of joint motion.\u00a0 Osteoarthritis is a chronic condition that gradually worsens over time.\u00a0 However, treatment can often reduce the symptoms, sustain a person’s level of physical activity, and possibly slow the progression of the condition.<\/p>\n

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic autoimmune inflammatory disease characterized by\u00a0 inflammation of the lining surfaces of joints and the surfaces surrounding the heart and lungs.\u00a0 An individual with rheumatoid arthritis has a defective immune system, which turns against the body, attacking joints (Lewis 1991). The severity may fluctuate, but rheumatoid arthritis most commonly results in development of pain, joint destruction, deformity, and significant decline in functional status (Klippel 2000).\u00a0 The masses of inflammatory cells within the joint cause it to appear swollen, red, warm, and puffy.\u00a0\u00a0 The inflammatory cells release enzymes that digest bone and cartilage and eventually damage the entire joint.\u00a0 Scar tissue forms, which results in changes to the shape and structure of the bone, sometimes causing the bones to fuse together so that they are permanently rigid and immobile.\u00a0 The peak incidence of rheumatoid arthritis occurs in individuals aged 40 to 60. Symptoms of RA include general fatigue and soreness, pain, stiffness, aching, warmth, redness, and inflammation of one or more joints, almost always symmetrically.\u00a0 The hands and feet are usually affected first.\u00a0 Other joints of the upper and lower limbs, such as elbows, shoulders, ankles, and knees are also commonly affected.<\/p>\n

\"pain,<\/a>Many psycho-social problems can arise as a result of chronic illness such as arthritis.\u00a0 The condition itself makes activities of daily living (ADLs) more difficult, often resulting in depression, decreased self-esteem, and feelings of anxiety about the future.\u00a0 The cycle begins with a loss of function and mobility accompanied by pain.\u00a0 Chronic pain has been associated with both anxiety and depression.<\/p>\n

The goals of management for people with arthritis are to control pain and swelling, minimize disability, improve quality of life, prevent progression of the process, and educate individuals in their role of self-management.\u00a0 Lifestyle modification strategies include:<\/p>\n