If you have painful joints, exercise may not be the first thing that comes to mind, like what you want to do. But in fact, exercise is the best you can do to relieve your painful joints. But it is important that you do the right type of exercise to improve joint pain and not worsen it. This article will look at the symptoms of arthritis and the benefits of swimming for joints.
Joint pain can be caused by several different things, including age, injury, or infection. Being able to recognize what kind of pain you are experiencing can help you develop the right diagnosis for joint pain, which in turn can improve treatment so that you stop suffering from tiring pain.
One of the main causes of joint pain is arthritis, but since there are several different types of arthritis, the type of pain you experience can vary greatly.
Types of Arthritis and Their Symptoms
Osteoarthritis is the wear of cartilage, which is a pillow between the joints that protect the bones. When this cartilage collapses, it causes the bones to rub against each other. With this type of arthritis, movement becomes difficult, articular stiffness, inflammation and lack of coordination are present.
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease, which means that the body’s own immune system unlawfully attacks itself – in this case, it attacks the joints. Symptoms include tingling in the arms and legs, difficulty sleeping and nodules under the skin.
Gout: The accumulation of purines, a by-product of uric acid, crystallizes around the joints, causing severe pain. Gout is most commonly found around the big toe and foot. The area may appear red and the pain may worsen within 24 hours. Your ability to walk can also be difficult.
Spondyloarthropathy: This is another autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks the ligaments of the body that attach to the bone. Symptoms include pain and stiffness, which are usually felt in the lower back, but can also affect the arms and legs.
Lupus erythematosus: another autoimmune disease, lupus affects not only the joints but also the lungs, skin, brain, kidneys and other organs. Joint pain and swelling are common symptoms of lupus, chest pain, hair loss, muscle soreness, and sensitivity to light.
Infectious arthritis: when bacteria or a virus infects joints, it is known as infectious arthritis. The infection can spread to the joints through the blood. Infectious arthritis affects only one joint, but it tends to be a large joint. Severe pain during movement is the most common symptom of infectious arthritis. Other symptoms include warmth or redness around the joint, swelling and loss of appetite, increased heart rate, and chills.
If you experience any of these symptoms, or simply live with joint pain that you cannot get rid of, see your doctor find out the reason you can get treatment to improve your pain.
The benefits of swimming for joints
The Arthritis Foundation recommends swimming as a natural way to treat joint pain. This is an activity with zero exposure, which allows you to use all your muscle groups, improving the cardiovascular system.
The foundation explained: “Swimming circles can be very meditative, there is no knocking music, no ringing weights – it’s just you and the water. Water support and a lack of joint action make swimming a good choice for people who cannot conduct highly effective activities such as running. ”
When it comes to lap swimming, there are many different movements and strokes that you can use that best suit your needs and will not hurt you. You can also use swimming devices for help.
The benefits of swimming for joints:
- It keeps your cardiovascular system without affecting your joints.
- Helps build stamina, muscle and cardiovascular system.
- It helps maintain a healthy weight.
- Tones up muscles and strengthens strength.
- Good full-body workout requiring minimal equipment.
- It promotes relaxation and reduces stress.
- Improves coordination, posture, and balance.
- Increases flexibility.
- Do not swim in excessively hot pools or ponds, as this can quickly raise blood pressure.
- Swim in a safe environment with a lifeguard.
- Do not forget to warm up and cool before and after swimming.
- Stay well hydrated.
- Make sure you can swim or take lessons.
- Do not overdo it if you are a beginner.
In addition to being low impact joint exercises, swimming offers other health benefits, which in turn help strengthen joints. The benefits of swimming for joints have been shown by several studies to improve breathing and blood circulation, reduce heart rate and maintain healthier blood pressure – all of which are great for overall health. Swimming, in addition, simply combines the three vital components of exercise: muscle strain, muscle strengthening, and aerobics. At the same time, it works with many different muscle groups, which makes it a full and comprehensive training for the body.
Swimming should not be reserved only for swimming; There are many other water-related activities that also work well for patients with joint pain or sensitivity. Those looking for water-based exercises that have less effect on the skeletal system can try water aerobics, deep water walks, or even just stretching in the pool. Water provides a gentle but effective form of resistance in all of these activities. Water practitioners can also use hand-paddles, diving boards, water weights, and other items designed for water-based training. In the world of water-based exercises, people suffering from joint pain find a wide variety of activities,