Arthritis: Pain Prevents from Excercising

 

People with Arthritis often fear pain
whilst excercising © Hemera

Pain is the biggest factor preventing people with arthritis from exercising, an inter- national survey to mark World Arthritis Day on 12 October has revealed.

Although 73 per cent of people with arthritis surveyed thought that exercise is was good for them, 84 per cent said pain would prevent them from exercising.

The survey also revealed there was confusion around which kind of physical activities are beneficial for people with arthritis, with 80 per cent unsure of what exercise to do.

It is estimated that 9 million people, or nearly 15 per cent of the UK population have arthritis or other rheumatic diseases. The World Arthritis Day survey shows a worrying number may not be getting the exercise they need.

Arthritis Care chief executive Neil Betteridge said: "Many people become less active when they develop arthritis because of pain and the fear of causing damage. But this can lead to muscles becoming weaker and wasted and joints stiffening up, resulting in loss of mobility. Suitable regular exercise can have huge benefits for people with arthritis, including better joint mobility, improved pain management, stronger muscles and bones as well as weight loss and improved energy.”

Arthritis Care is the official UK member of People with Arthritis and Rheumatism in Europe (PARE Manifesto). To raise awareness of the issues around arthritis and exercise, this year PARE Manifesto which coordinates World Arthritis Day, are calling on all people in the United Kingdom with arthritis to Take Action and find ways of including exercise in their daily routine.

Sandra Canadelo, Vice Chair of PARE Manifesto said: "We know that people are worried about pain, but physical activity can actually help reduce pain. There are also a number of different types of treatment to help control pain in arthritis. We recommend that people speak to their doctor about the benefits and risks of different treatments to ensure they are receiving the most appropriate pain control.”

PARE Manifesto has launched a new booklet for World Arthritis Day, called ‘Arthritis and Exercise', which includes a number of exercises to help people get started. The booklet can be viewed or downloaded in English from www.worldarthritisday.org alongside three factsheets on exercises for particular kinds of arthritis: Exercise and Ankylosing Spondylitis, Exercise and Osteoarthritis and Exercise and Rheumatoid Arthritis.

REHACARE.de; Source: ArthritisCare
- More information about ArthritisCare at: http://www.arthritiscare.org.uk