How to Exercise Safely with Rheumatoid Arthritis



Exercising with rheumatoid arthritis can be a challenge, but it doesn’t have to be. With the right precautions and knowledge of your body, you can exercise safely and reap the benefits of physical activity. Here are some tips for exercising safely with rheumatoid arthritis:

1. Start Slow: When starting a new exercise routine, it’s important to start slow and build up gradually over time. Doing too much too soon can lead to pain and injury. Start with low-impact activities like walking or swimming and slowly increase intensity as your body adjusts.

2. Listen to Your Body: It’s important to pay attention to how your body is feeling during exercise and adjust accordingly. If you feel any pain or discomfort, stop immediately and rest until the pain subsides before continuing again slowly.

3. Choose Low-Impact Exercises: High-impact exercises such as running or jumping can put extra stress on joints affected by rheumatoid arthritis, so it’s best to avoid these types of activities if possible. Instead, opt for low-impact exercises such as swimming or cycling that will still give you an effective workout without putting extra strain on your joints.

4. Warm Up & Cool Down: Before beginning any type of physical activity, make sure you warm up properly by stretching all major muscle groups for several minutes first in order to prevent injury or strain during exercise. After exercising, take time for a cool down period which should include stretching again in order to help reduce soreness after working out and improve flexibility in joints affected by RA over time .

5 . Get Professional Advice : If possible , consult with a doctor , physical therapist , or certified fitness trainer who is experienced in dealing with RA . They can provide personalized advice on what types of exercises would work best for you based on the severity of your condition .

Following these tips will help ensure that exercising with rheumatoid arthritis is done safely so that you can reap all the benefits without risking injury or discomfort . With patience , dedication , and proper technique , anyone living with RA can stay physically active while managing their condition at the same time !

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rheumatoid arthritis, exercise, start slow, listen to body, low-impact exercises, warm up/cool down, professional advice,

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