I know it hurts but a workout  can strengthen the muscles that surround your joints and those stronger muscles will protect your knee.First, get the OK from your doctor before you begin any exercise program. Secondly work with someone who knows what she is doing.

That sounds reasonable but I am always surprised at the number of people who work out personal trainers who know next to nothing about arthritis and anatomy. It may be true that the fees of those trainers are less costly but in the end they may cost you dearly because of the potential harm they can cause. My advice, check out the exercise programs approved by the Arthritis Foundation or by your physician.

Third and finally retool your brain so that you no longer believe the myth that if you have arthritis you cannot exercise. The fact is exercise will not only reduce your joint pain and stiffness, it will improve your overall health.

Each of your joints is surrounded by ligaments, the primary stabilizers that hold together the join and cartilage. Muscles, which cross that joint are the secondary stabilizers.  They all work together.

For example, when you walk up the stairs, your knees absorb six to eight times your body weight. If your muscles are strong, they will absorb more of that stress which means less stress on the joint itself. If your muscles are weak and not in good condition, there will be more stress on your knee.

Strengthening the muscles also helps protect the joint from injury because there is less stress on the joint and the muscles around the joint are more flexible because they are conditioned to move. The more flexible the muscles the more active you can be without being in pain.

After understanding why exercise works so well even with arthritis you may not need much motivation to stay with a program. On the other hand, maintaining the challenge may be a little daunting so team up with a friend or write your progress down so no matter how small, the progress will inspire you.

If you are on a strength training program and have arthritis we’d love to know how you’re doing and how you keep motivated.  Maybe your story will help another reader.  Use the comment box to type your story.

To your healthy aging success.

Ruthan Brodsky

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Filed under: Fitness and Nutrition

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