When weight-resistance exercises are
prescribed for patients with osteoarthritis (OA) as a part of treatment they
should be advised properly about certain guidelines that should be
followed.This is aimed for the following
- Better planning of exercise program.
- Strategies for performing exercises
effectively.
- To avoide injury.
What
are the General considerations for the patient in planning weight-resistance
training as part of treatment of OA?
Not all type of OA
respond to exercise treatment, infact it is contraindicated in some form of
OA. Before starting any weight-resistance program, always consult with a medical
specialist who is well experienced in arthritis care. This will help you to
learn what response you might expect from weight-resistance training and to
discuss about its limitations.
Some exercise are
contraindicated in certain form of arthritis. You should consult with a
qualified physical therapist and / or personal trainer to make out which type of
exercises are best for your arthritis.
Better response is
seen with supervised exercise program in a gym than an individual home-based
program. This is because people are likely to adhere to a program and better
motivated if they are being supervised.It is a good experience to practice in a
gym that has a greater diversity of equipment and classes.
You should identify a
training partner.This is to improve your interest and motivation. A good
partner can also provide you constructive criticism.
If you are on
medication for arthritis,you should be aware of the possible side effects of
that drugs and effects it could have for exercise. Certain drugs give you a
false sense of well-being and they may allow you to push beyond your limits,
which results in more injury to joints and exacerbate your condition. Avoid
over-the-counter medications. If you have little or no relief from the recommended
dose of medication, this may be a sign of a more serious condition. Some people
use ointments for relief for the symptoms of arthritis. There are no scientific
data to suggest how much relief is obtained by ointment use or whether they are
effective in the treatment of arthritis.
Plan your exercise at
that time of the day when you feel most energetic as well as when you are not
in a hurry.
Overweight is a
always a problem in patients with osteoarthritis.It increases the physical load
on damaged joint as well decreases the exercise tolerance. If you are
overweight, don’t hesitate to incorporate a weight-loss program which can be
done with diet control and cardiovascular exercise. This will definitely reduce
the weight bearing loads placed on the joints.
You should be always
aware of latest trends in exercise. Try different exercises. Try free weights
as well as machines, because they have different benefits. Do not take anything
for granted.
It is better to
Incorporate recreational activities of your interest into the fitness program
such as golf, hiking, swimming or bicycling.
It is true that You
will never continue doing any activity if you do not enjoy it.So have fun to
make it more enjoyable.
