(NC)-Osteoarthritis (OA), a disease that affects more than three million Canadians usually progresses slowly over a period of months to years. To learn more about OA visit www.arthritis.ca or speak to your healthcare provider if you are experiencing any of the symptoms listed:
There is no cure for OA, but early diagnosis and the right treatment, can help most people with OA lead active and productive lives with the help of the right treatments which can include exercise, medication, joint protection techniques, and surgery.
How to Manage OA
(1) Exercise
A properly designed exercise program can not only decrease pain, but can also increase flexibility and overall fitness. Some great exercises include:
. Strengthening exercises will improve muscle strength, tone, stabilize / protect joints and relieve pain.
. Range of motion exercises will help maintain or restore normal joint movement and relieve stiffness.
. Low impact exercises such as walking and swimming will help maintain cardiovascular health without excess strain on joints.
(2) Protect joints
Reduce joint stress by:
. Controlling your weight
. Warming-up/cooling-down before and after exercising
(3) Heat / Cold Therapy
Heat therapy is one of the oldest treatments to provide relief from muscle and joint pain – but should not be applied to an inflamed joint. Heat therapy can reduce joint pain, stiffness and muscle spasm; it promotes blood circulation which nourishes and detoxifies muscle fibres.
Using cold therapy for an inflamed joint reduces pain and swelling by constricting blood flow to the joint.
Credit: www.newscanada.com
