When you have arthritis, physical activity and exercise may not seem appealing. The thought of walking or swimming might make you cringe when your body already aches.
However, "exercise keeps you moving when your condition threatens to immobilize you," says Dr. Klippel. "I recommend water exercises because water buoyancy takes weight off your joints."
Swimming laps, water walking or jogging, and water aerobics are examples. Increasingly, physical therapists are offering exercise treatments in the water, an approach that is often called "aqua-therapy."
Other forms of low-impact workouts that place less stress on your joints include yoga, tai chi, and cycling, as well as using cross-country ski simulators or elliptical trainers. Cross training - performing a variety of exercises and activities on different days - helps prevent overuse injuries, keeps your program fresh, and contributes to better training for your muscles.
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