Arthritis pain can be so bad that a walk to the bathroom can seem like struggling through a bed of nails –if only the nails were being hammered into your knees and back! Your body tells you to “sit down and rest” between every step. But that’s some horrible advice, no matter how well intentioned it may be.
The Real Future of Arthritis
Many doctors predict that technological advances like cutting edge medications and futuristic machines will someday emerge as the “cure” for arthritis. Unfortunately, no amount of money or science is going to take care of this pesky $120 billion dollar arthritis problem out nation struggles with. After all, we already have prevention and a cure. Best of all, it doesn’t require a single dollar, a prescription, or even a doctor’s appointment.
What’s this amazing arthritis treatment that has arthritis scientists jumping up and down in excitement? Walking!
Walk It Off
Researchers at the National Institutes of Health recently looked at a group of people with knee osteoarthritis who weren’t yet in serious pain. Those that did light exercise for just 20 minutes per day completely put the brakes on arthritis.
What if you already have arthritis? Walking can change your life too.
A study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine found that a walking program reduced arthritis pain by nearly one third. That blows away the results from arthritis medications that tend to modestly improve pain levels by 10 percent or less.
Walk This Way
Arthritis can make walking an uphill battle. Fortunately, you don’t have to walk to China and back to see a very big difference.
Here’s how to do it:
Start S-L-O-W: The transition from couch potato to power walker is a dramatic one. Your walking program should be like a beat up 67’ Chevy: start slowly, gradually increasing the speed, and go strong after a thorough warm up. Record, Rinse, Repeat: Just “going for a walk” may work for some, but your enthusiasm will quickly sputter out. Setting goals and benchmarks will keep you on track and make sure you stick to this life-altering change.
Don’t Be Afraid: To breathe, sweat and struggle. As long as you can pass the “talk test” (being able to carry on a conversation while exercising), you’re at the right intensity level.
Expect Miracles…Eventually: There’s no question that daily light exercise turns the tables on arthritis. But it’s going to take more than a few laps around the track to feel a difference. Stick with it and the results will come.
Run, Don’t Walk, To Buy This Incredible Program
Walking works. But for those with painful or stubborn arthritis, it’s not nearly enough.
That’s why there’s the Blue Heron Guide for Healing Arthritis. It’s a complete step-by-step approach to reversing arthritis that’s backed by the latest science. Learn more about CLICK HERE!
People with arthritis are more likely than the healthy population to suffer from infections, including potentially deadly ones that can put you in hospital on intravenous antibiotics. Conditions like urinary tract infections, upper respiratory infections, pneumonia, and meningitis are all caused by bacteria or viruses and are all common in people with arthritis.
Arthritis pain can be so bad that a walk to the bathroom can seem like struggling through a bed of nails –if only the nails were being hammered into your knees and back! Your body tells you to “sit down and rest” between every step. But that’s some horrible advice, no matter how well intentioned it may be.
It’s well understood that your diet plays a crucial role in your arthritis pain. While the same foods that give you a trim waist and clear arteries will likely relieve your pain, a few foods stand head and shoulders above the rest. Add these 4 pain-fighting super-foods to your diet and you’ll probably feel a difference a few minutes after your last bite.
cruciferous veggie as a kid. If you followed to her advice into adulthood, you may not have arthritis today. Scientists at the University of East Anglia recently figured out why broccoli helps people with osteoarthritis–by far, the most common arthritis type. They found that broccoli (and only broccoli) contains a funny sounding nutrient called sulforaphane. Sulforaphane presses the “OFF” button on enzymes that destroy vulnerable joints and cartridge.
Taking more steps each day may help reduce symptoms of fibromyalgia and improve overall health, according to a 2014 study in Arthritis Care & Research. Investigators followed 199 adults with fibromyalgia wearing an accelerometer, which tracked their step count, for 12 weeks. Those who increased their steps the most over the three-month period also had the most significant reduction in fibromyalgia symptoms. Exercise like walking increases the release of endorphin like chemicals in the blood and activates brain regions that dampen pain while reducing depression, says study author Dennis C. Ang. a rheumatologist at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center. Using a pedometer or activity monitor to track your steps can help you slowly increase activity.
It’s no secret that heat and ice relieve aching joints and muscles, but many people don’t know when to use which one. Heat and cold affect blood flow in opposite ways, so they have different applications, says Scott Lynch, MD, director of sports medicine at Penn State Hershey Medical Center in State College.
If you are feeling stressed, depressed, angry or anxious, tell to your Rheumatologist. A new study in Arthritis Care & Research shows a link between atherosclerosis – fatty buildup in arteries that can lead to heart attack and stroke – and negative moods in people with RA. Your doctor can help you find ways to manage your emotions and help improve your heart health in the process. And don’t overlook the importance of a strong support network: Share feelings with friends and loved ones, and consider joining an RA support group.
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