Exercise Helps Prevent Pain from Arthritis

In the USA, arthritis is the number 1 cause of disability. There is some good news for the one-in-five American adults who have been diagnosed with arthritis -- and half of those over age 75 have reported it.

The good news comes in the form of research done with women with arthritis who exercised. More women than men contract arthritis so the findings have the potential to be meaningful to the largest group of those who suffer from arthritis.

An Australian study suggests the more time older women spend exercising, the better their chances are of staying pain-free from arthritis. Exactly why exercise helps prevent arthritis pain is unclear -- but even exercising as little as one hour and 15 minutes a week now can make a difference over the next three years, according to findings recently published in the journal Arthritis Research & Therapy.

RTs should note that for women with arthritis suggested physical activities include walking, swimming, yoga, tai chi, and even some weight training.