Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Take Charge Of Arthritis During Month Of May

Exercise means more than just keeping fit for the nearly 40 million Americans affected by arthritis. It means taking charge of their condition, according to the Arthritis Foundation.

During National Arthritis Month this May, the Arthritis Foundation is encouraging people to stay active with arthritis through physical activity and education.

"According to the surgeon general's report on physical activity and health, regular, moderate physical activity can benefit people by decreasing fatigue, building stronger muscles and bones, increasing energy, flexibility and stamina, and improving their general health and sense of well-being," Greg Hatcher, chairman of the board of the Arthritis Foundation, Arkansas Chapter, said.

"After two to three months of exercising, most people also report less pain, anxiety and depression, hatcher continued.

The Arthritis Foundation offers these exercise tips to help you Stay Active with Arthritis:

• Choose exercise you want to do -- combine activities your doctor or other health professional recommends with some of your favorite exercises;

• Choose a specific time and place to exercise -- keep this consistent;

• Start your program gradually -- especially if you haven't exercised in a while; and

• Ask a family member or friend to support your decision to take charge of arthritis.

In addition to staying active with arthritis, the Arthritis Foundation recommends the following steps:

• Control your weight -- Staying close to your recommended weight can help reduce stress on weight-bearing joints such as knees and hips. Studies show that overweight people who lose weight can reduce their risk of knee osteoarthritis by up to 50 percent.

• Protect your joints -- Use your joints in ways that avoid excessive stress and make it easier to do daily tasks, either through appropriate body mechanics or use of inexpensive devices that make tasks easier.

• Save your energy -- Balance periods of activity with periods of rest to help reduce fatigue and protect joints from the stress of repeated tasks.

www.arthritis.org

The Arthritis Foundation is the source of help and hope for the nearly 40 million Americans who have arthritis. The foundation supports research to find ways to cure and prevent arthritis and seeks to improve the quality of life for those affected by arthritis.