A recent news article from WebMD, featuring expertise provided by Leigh F. Callahan, PhD, highlighted osteoarthritis and how exercise can be used to help alleviate accompanying joint pain. The story turned its spotlight on one of our very own TARC Stakeholder Advisory Board members, Dianne Rosenbluth. Upon discovering that she has osteoarthritis, Dianne integrated exercise into her routine in an effort to ease her pain and improve her mobility.
鈥淪omeone with joint pain is often concerned that exercising will exacerbate their pain and they are hesitant to start engaging in any physical activity,鈥� said Callahan. She goes on to note that a 鈥渕easured approach鈥� to exercise can be helpful. For example, people who are inactive should start with a low-intensity activity like walking and slowly increase their distance over time.
It鈥檚 not just joint pain that stands to benefit from physical activity. 鈥淚n addition to the improvement in arthritis symptoms, exercise and physical activity provide mental health benefits and improve聽overall quality of life,鈥� Callahan stated.
Regarding when to seek specialty care, Callahan recommended聽arthritis-appropriate evidence-based interventions (AAEBIs) for聽people who want to learn more about exercise. The Arthritis Foundation offers a聽“Walk with Ease”聽program that leads people through appropriate steps for setting goals, warming up, walking, cooling down, and stretching properly. The Osteoarthritis Action Alliance and the CDC recognize these AAEBIs because they increase physical activity and improve arthritis symptoms.
This story includes quotes from the WebMD article, , written by Damian McNamara.