The Arthritis Association encourages water
exercises for arthritis sufferers. Water exercise
is especially good for people with osteoarthritis,
which affects the body's weight-bearing joints.
Warm water exercise is an excellent way for those
with arthritis to build up strength, ease stiff
joints and relax sore muscles. The gentle current
is also great for rehabilitation & recovery
from injury. Water's buoyancy greatly reduces
the pressure on your joints, making it easier
to perform needed range of motion exercise.
The
Arthritis Foundation explains several benefits
to water exercise:
The soothing warmth and buoyancy
of warm water make it a safe, ideal
environment
for relieving arthritis pain and stiffness.
Immersing in warm water raises your
body temperature, causing your blood
vessels
to dilate and increasing circulation.
Water exercise is a gentle way to
exercise joints and muscles.
Water
supports joints to encourage free movement,
and may also act as
resistance
to help build muscle strength.
Using
a spa adds a component to the therapy – massage.
Jet nozzles release warm water and
air, massaging your body and helping
you relax
tight muscles.
Water Aerobics:
An Exercise Program that Can Benefit Those with
Arthritis
According
to AllAboutArthritis.com, warm water relaxes
the muscles and eases joint
stiffness.
For an arthritis-oriented
class, "a water temperature of 84ºF
to 88ºF is recommended, with an absolute
minimum of 83ºF," says Donna Adler, a water
exercise instructor and trainer for the Arthritis
Foundation in Phoenix.
