Painful joints often become stiff joints, and stiff, achy joints can make daily tasks difficult. Flexibility exercises can help to regain and maintain the range of motion in your joints that make doing tasks possible. Daily flexibility exercises for your lower body (e.g., lower back, knee, hip, toes and ankle) and upper body (e.g., neck, shoulder, elbow, wrist and fingers) are important to keep those joints moving.

What about pain during and after exercise?

As is true for anyone beginning a new or different exercise program, you may experience some discomfort in your joints and surrounding muscles during and after exercise. That does not mean exercise is not for you. These tips can help alleviate discomfort:

• Modify the program – decrease the frequency (days/week) and/or the intensity and time until the pain improves.
• Warm up and cool down before and after exercise.
• Experiment with different types of activity (try the pool, a bicycle, etc.)
• Be certain your shoes fit well

Most people with arthritis experience long-term pain relief if they stick to it!

Be aware of the following signs and symptoms which are not beneficial and are reasons to see your health care provider:

• Pain that causes you to limp
• Sharp, stabbing and constant pain
• Swelling in the joints or joints that feel “hot”
• Pain that lasts more than two hours after exercise or gets worse at night