Osteoarthritis and Exercise Go Together
Take steps to live the best that you can with osteoarthritis. Arm yourself against joint damage with the facts about exercise—and keep moving!
In the past, doctors recommended that people limit the use of joints affected by osteoarthritis (OA). Back then, unfortunately, no one knew this was bad advice.
Research now clearly shows that prolonged rest and inactivity actually make OA worse by contributing to joint stiffness and muscle weakness, whereas regular physical activity and exercise ease OA symptoms and keep joints mobile.
In fact, the therapeutic value of exercise, particularly for knee OA, is so convincing, that all recent professional guidelines for the treatment of OA cite exercise as a cornerstone of therapy. The message in these guidelines is clear and consistent: when done safely and tailored to a person's capabilities and needs, physical activity that promotes cardiovascular fitness and strengthens muscles helps—not hurts—joints affected by OA.
Curious to know how exercise can help you manage OA, or unsure about how much or what kind of exercise is best?
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