Osteoarthritis, also known as degenerative arthritis, is a type of joint disease that attacks and weakens your bones and joints. Common among millions of people around the United States and the world, OA often hits people in late middle-age and can affect functioning and day-to-day activities. In its most severe form, osteoarthritis can make daily routines unmanageable, but performing the right exercises can help keep your joints healthy for a long time.
Instructions
1. Exercise at the time of the day when your arthritis is at its least severe. Exercise when you are not tired, sore or stiff to avoid hurting yourself further.
2. Exercise at the same time everyday to work your muscles into a pattern that can remember and get accustomed to.
3. Stop exercising when fatigue or weakness set in, when your joints begin to swell or when you are losing abilities in your joints or range of motion.
4. Perform range-of-motion exercises once a day, everyday. These exercises will have you moving your joint all the way from one end of its range of motion to the other. Push your joint as far as you can without hurting yourself.
5. Use light weights to perform strengthening exercises every other day. Do not extend fully through the range of motion, but work your joints out with a light weight that will not put too much pressure on the joint. Lift and move the weight at a comfortable pace without straining.
6. Complete endurance exercises two or three times a week. These can be in the form of repetitive activities or cardio, and should be done focusing on your arthritic area. Make sure to perform only these exercises for around 20-30 minutes per day.
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