How Much Exercise is Enough When You Have Arthritis?

Between 2013 and 2015, 22.7 percent of Americans were diagnosed by a medical doctor with some form of arthritis. The most commonly diagnosed type is osteoarthritis, although other conditions include gout, fibromyalgia, and rheumatoid arthritis. It is widely known that exercise can help to improve function, decrease pain, and improve overall quality of life for individuals managing their arthritis symptoms, but how much exercise is enough?

Current federal guidelines for adults recommend a minimum of 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise or 75 minutes of vigorous activity per week (or a combination of both). These recommendations are important because research has shown that people who are more active have lower rates of coronary artery disease, high blood pressure, stroke, type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, colon cancer, breast cancer, and depression.

Unfortunately, people with arthritis are not meeting those guidelines because they are in too much pain. The CDC reports that 23.6 percent of adults with arthritis are not completing any leisure-time physical activity, like walking, gardening, swimming, and completing household chores.

Another study published in 2017 changed the game for Americans struggling to manage their arthritis pain. The new study reports that adults with arthritis only need to spend 45 minutes a week completing moderate to vigorous exercise in order to improve or maintain high function. That’s less than seven minutes a day if you exercise every day of the week!

At-Home Arthritis Exercise

So what can you do to manage your arthritis pain at home? Well, there are several options, but the best and most simple way is to simply start moving more! Seven minutes of exercise or activity a day is achievable and can help improve function and decrease your pain. Below are some examples of vigorous and moderate-intensity activities that you can add to your daily workout routine.

Moderate-Intensity Activities

· Brisk walking
· Bicycling
· Water aerobics
· Social dancing
· Tai chi
· Yoga
· Mowing the grass

Vigorous-Intensity Activities

· Jogging/running
· Spinning class
· Jumping rope
· Zumba or other aerobic dance classes

If you’re having trouble managing your arthritis pain and want to start exercising but don’t know where to begin, complete the contact form or call (804)-764-1000 to make an appointment with an arthritis therapy specialist so you can get moving again!

Share This Post:

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
RehaBlog

More Posts

Connected Pain: How Your Neck May Be Causing Your Headaches

If you have ever dealt with nagging neck pain, you are far from alone. In fact, research shows that roughly half of us will experience a significant episode of neck pain at some point in our lives. Whether it stems from a sudden whiplash injury, age-related changes like arthritis, a pinched nerve, or simply the daily muscle strain of looking down at our phones or computer screens, neck pain is incredibly disruptive. It can present as a dull ache or a sharp, catching pain, and it often robs you of your ability to turn your head comfortably. But there is another common symptom of neck stiffness that surprises many people: headaches.

Occupational Therapy vs. Physical Therapy: What’s the Difference?

Occupational Therapy (OT) and Physical Therapy (PT) are distinct, separate professions, each requiring its own specialized education, licensing, and expertise. Because both fields share the ultimate goal of improving a patient’s independence and quality of life, their roles can sometimes seem to overlap.

Aphasia

Aphasia and the Role of the Speech-Language Pathologist

Aphasia (pronounced uh-FEY-zhuh) is the medical term used to describe difficulty with the production and comprehension of language. This can occur after a stroke or other injury to the brain. In addition to speaking, aphasia can also affect listening, reading, and writing. Individuals with aphasia may experience trouble finding the right words and producing intact sentences, which can impact their ability to express themselves as well as having trouble understanding what others are saying to them. In the most severe cases, a person with aphasia may be non-verbal, meaning they are not able to speak at all.

Reframing Your Outlook on Aging

May is Older Americans Month—a time dedicated to encouraging older adults to take an active role in their well-being through prevention, wellness, and self-management. Yet despite these empowering goals, aging is still often framed negatively in our society. By shifting how we think about getting older, and about ability more broadly, we can create a more positive, inclusive experience for everyone.

Simple Tips to Stay Active

Staying active doesn’t have to mean long workouts or a packed gym schedule. For most people, it’s really about finding simple ways to move more throughout the day. Those small choices—done consistently—can add up to real benefits for your energy, mood, and overall health.

Start your Journey

Learn more about Sheltering Arms Institute

Contact a specialist at Sheltering Arms Institute to learn more about how you can gain more freedom in your everyday life.