Water Exercising: An Excellent Activity for Arthritis Sufferers
Staying active is extremely important when dealing with arthritis. But for many, this can be downright painful! While doing some research on ways to stay comfortably active for arthritis sufferers, I came across the concept of exercising in water.
Water exercises are basically another work for movements done in water, like aqua aerobics. Water has the quality of making you feel light or buoyant, which relieves much of the stress gravity puts on one’s joints. The best part? All you need is water! (Well, technically you need a sizable body of contained water – a pool or Jacuzzi).To make it easier on you all, I’ve hand picked a few great tips for water exercises. Here’s to hoping aqua exercises work for you!
1) Water should be at chest height.
2) You should always warm up 5 minutes before starting your exercise routine. Jogging in place, kicking your feet, or basic stretched are examples of what you could do to warm up.
3) When doing arm and shoulder exercises, use a noodle, held at about waist level while you are under water, then lift over starting under water. The resistance will work your muscles and heighten flexibility over time. Resistance exercises help tone muscles and strengthen your body.
4) A heated pool can have soothing qualities on inflammation in muscles and joints, but a cool pool can cool you down while you exercise. It’s up to you.
5) Find out more about specific exercises that might benefit your particular pains, by visiting Arthritis.Org. It has some great lists of benefits, precautions, and resources that will get you in the water in no time.
Video Tutorials for Simple Water Aerobics:
Step-Touch Therapy
For Elbows, Wrists, and Fingers
Go to the expertvillage YouTube Channel, to watch all sorts of health tutorials.
