Help Heal Arthritis With Diet And Exercise
Our bodies are built with the framework of skeletal and muscular
systems. Within that system there are the parts that make up the
connections and function to allow our bodies the movement we use in
our everyday life. When the function of our bodies is disrupted by
such things as tissue, joint damage, injury, or disease it takes a toll
on the body’s ability to move comfortably. Although, it is most
commonly known that a healthy diet and exercise regimen is beneficial
to our health, it is also proven to be a therapeutic facet for our tissue
and joints of our body. More specifically it is a helping and healing
factor in those who are diagnosed with arthritis, a joint disorder that
affects an inflammatory response within the joints of our body.
The bones and muscles are cooperative in functioning together.
Voluntary movement occurs when skeletal muscles shorten. This is a
function of the way muscles are attached to the bones and the way
bones join with other joints. The connections between
two or more bones are what we call joints. The movable joints between
one bone to another is what makes movements of an individual body
part possible and without movable joints our bodies would be rigid and
immobile. As arthritis occurs within an individual it becomes
increasingly difficult to experience comfortable movement as the
inflammation of the joints increases stiffness and pain.
(Patton,Thibodeau).
Arthritis is the nations number one leading cause of disability. One in
five people over the age of 18 have been diagnosed with arthritis and
one in two hundred and fifty children have been diagnosed with arthritis.
Arthritis has not been defined as a single disease but rather if refers
to joint pain or joint disease that can cause swelling, pain,. stiffness and
decreased range of motion. It can range from mild, moderate, or
severe conditions (Benefits of Exercise).
Arthritis can be caused by a variety of factors such as infection,
injury, genetic, autoimmunity and inflammatory joint disease. There
are also two categories of arthritis which are inflammatory and
non-inflammatory joint disorders. An example of non-inflammatory
would be that of osteoarthritis. Examples of various forms of
inflammatory arthritis would be those of rheumatoid, gouty, or
infectious. (Patton,Thibodeau).
One of the most renown forms of treatment for arthritis is exercise
which can help ease arthritis pain and stiffness. It also helps increase
strength, flexibility, reduce joint pain, and helps combat fatigue often
associated with arthritis symptoms. ( Mayoclinic.org)
One big misconception is that people are often worried that exercising
may cause more joint pain or damage when in fact it is actually proven
by researchers that exercise is the most effective non-drug treatment in
arthritis therapy. There are various forms of exercises that can help
reduce pain and swelling within arthritis patients. This includes range of
motion and flexibility exercise, which can increase flexibility within the
joints and allow to full range of motion. Aerobic, which can reduce
fatigue and increase stamina. Strengthening, which can increase
muscle strength which in turn helps protect the joints. Walking, which
can help by improving circulation. Aquatic, in which the water helps
relieve your body’s weight on the affected joints while providing
resistance for your muscles to get stronger. Although this is not a cure
for arthritis, it helps relieve and improve symptoms with exercise.
(Benefit of Exercise).
Although there is no one single cure for arthritis, a balanced diet has
been shown to reduce symptoms that often occur within arthritis in
addition to exercise. Benefits include strengthening of bones and
boosting the immune system. Here are some healthy diet tips that you
can add on your menu. Fish is fueled with omega-3 fatty acid which is a
key in fighting inflammatory response. Studies have shown that cherries
actually help reduce the frequency of gout attacks. Low-fat dairy
products are packed with calcium and vitamin D which both help
increase bone strength. In addition to vitamin K and C, broccoli also has
a secret ingredient called sulforaphane, which researchers have found
has slowed or helped prevent osteoarthritis. These are just some tips on
a balanced diet that can not only help increase your fuel friendly food
choices but also a helpful and healing diet when it comes to arthritis
symptoms (12 Best Foods).
Imagine having your everyday life affected by immobility, pain
and / or inflammation caused by arthritis in your joints. For those one in five
adults that experience arthritis today, these are some of the steps and
preventions that they can be made in order to help ease the symptoms and
increase the physical comfort in life. With proper nutrition and an
effective exercise regiment, you can help pave the path to a more helpful
healing process to make living with these symptoms easier. Lastly so
that you may enjoy the more important things in life with this disorder
by living more comfortably and healthier.
By Kimberly Jones
