Arthritis Stretching, a Proven Treatment For Arthritis Pain

Once upon a time, it was believed that exercise and arthritis didn't mix. We now know how false this is. In fact, it can be a great benefit to anyone with arthritis if they want to increase mobility, and reduce pain.

But if you have arthritis, exercise is probably one of the last things you want to do!

However, it doesn't mean picking up the pigskin for a game of tackle football. It usually means mild cardio, light resistance training, and most importantly, stretching.

Stretching will help keep muscles and tendons loose and relaxed, and this will keep mobility up, and pain down. Many doctors recommend regular stretching, and PhD Barbara Resnick recommends daily stretching for those with arthritis

But before you begin, follow these specific rules for safety and to get the most out of your stretch:

Warm up before stretching, a short walk or warm shower will do this for you.

If your having a flair up due to rheumatoid arthritis, avoid stretching, as it can do more harm than good.

Stretch slowly, and gently, do not bounce.

The Stretches:

Here are 4 stretches that can help relieve arthritis symptoms.

To Stretch Your Shoulders:
While standing, raise your arms up out in front of your body, with your palms facing you, and your fingers on your left hand should be facing your right hand, and your fingers on your right should be facing your left. Gently raise your arms up toward the sky, until you feel a stretch. Hold it for about 10 seconds, than gently lower your arms. This stretch can be taken with both hands at a time, or one arm at a time.

To Stretch Your Calves (Lower Legs):
Stand about 2 feet away from a wall, facing that wall. Raise your arms up until you can push off that wall with your hands. Then, allow your body to slowly move towards the wall, keeping your feet flat on the ground. It's like doing a push up, only standing up. This should stretch your calves and ankles. Hold the stretch for 10 seconds, then slowly push back off the wall.

To Stretch Your Lower Back And Thighs:
Lie back on a flat, firm surface, and gently bring your knees up, one at a time, to your chest. Pull the knee toward your torso until a moderate stretch can be felt. Hold this for about 8-10 seconds, then slowly lower your leg back to the resting position. Then, do it again with the other leg. Each leg should be stretched 3-6 times.

To Stretch your Fingers, Back, and Shoulders:
Stand up, and stretch your hands and arms up towards the ceiling. As you stretch your arms, spread your fingers to stretch them as well. Then, lower your arms slowly back down, and relax your hands.

Stretching is important whether you continue on to more vigorous exercise or not. Most doctors recommend it be done once a day for about 10 - 15 minutes. These stretches listed here are all effective in helping arthritis, but it is important to know what stretches are the best for reducing the symptoms of your arthritis.