Best Treatments For Osteoarthritis Include Balance Exercises

Balance Exercises Help With Osteoarthritis

By Suzanne Stoke, Physical Therapist @ Exercise For Balance via www.exerciseforbalance.com

     Medical researchers have found that a multimodal approach to helping symptoms such as  pain and stiffness from osteoarthritis includes manual therapy, strengthening exercises and balance exercises. Please see    http://www.exerciseforbalance.com/buy-now By definition, Osteoarthritis is an illness (the ill health identified by the person themselves, often based on self-reported measures or physical symptoms) and a disease (a condition that is diagnosed by a clinician). Osteoarthritis commonly affects middle age to elderly population. It is the most common disease of arthritis and can occur together with other types of arthritis. It is a disease of the entire joint, involving not only the joint lining but also cartilage, ligaments, and bone. Osteoarthritis is characterized by breakdown of the cartilage, bony changes of the joints, deterioration of tendons and ligaments, and various degrees of inflammation of the synovium. To be specific, medical researchers found radiographic knee osteoarthritis in 53.3% males and 60.9% females. Additionally, approximately 18% of women and 10% of men suffer symptoms due to osteoarthritis.  Interestingly, in men aged 60 to 64, the right knee is more commonly affected than the left knee, whereas the right and left knees are nearly equally affected in women. In their recent study, Knee osteoarthritis related pain: a narrative review of diagnosis and treatment,  Al-Arfaj and Al-Boukai determined that the patella was involved with radiographic osteoarthritic changes in 80.7% of women and 87.8% of men with knee osteoarthritis. Furthermore, these radiographic changes are often accompanied by pain, stiffness in the joint, decreased mobility, function and diminished balance abilities. Consequently, individuals who suffer with pain and disability from osteoarthritis are recommended to follow a program of stretching, strengthening and balance exercises to help maintain mobility, function and balance skills for as long as possible.

Balance Exercises And Strengthening Exercises For Osteoarthritis

      Performing balance exercises as well as stretching and strengthening exercises is essential for folks who struggle with osteoarthritis. since joint changes at the knee and hip secondary to osteoarthritis leaves the person with painful and stiff joint as well as difficulties with walking and poor balance, beginning an appropriate exercise program is a top priority. An arthritis fitness program should include stretching exercises to maintain range of motion at the involved joints such as the hips and knees. Additionally, exercises to build strength in the muscles surrounding the sore joints is essential. Strong muscles will help support the arthritic joints and minimize pain as best as possible. Additionally, balance exercises should be performed on a daily basis to improve stability and decrease the potential of a fall. as an example, you can begin an equilibrium program by rehearsing a tandem stance exercise where you stand near a counter or table with one foot directly in front of the other foot. In this tandem position, you will have a narrow base of support which will challenge your balance abilities. you can practice this tandem balance exercise and other specific strengthening and stability routines by following the direction of a knowledgeable Physical Therapist in the Exercise For Balance DVD.

Balance Exercises In The Exercise For Balance DVD

    To get going on a comprehensive exercise program for osteoarthritis, begin the best balance exercises with the Exercise For Balance DVD. The easy to follow  Balance DVD is an excellent educational DVD to use at home or in a group setting. The step by step DVD comes complete  with the best balance and strength exercises needed to enhance general fitness and to perform basic activities like grocery shopping, getting up from a chair,  walking, standing, stair climbing or to advance to high level activities like playing golf, dancing and hiking. In the Exercise For Balance DVD, you will learn how to improve balance, stability techniques and balance routines from a balance instructor (licensed Physical Therapist) who has worked with balance and dizziness disorders for over 20 years. Get your copy of the Exercise For Balance DVD by clicking on the BUY NOW button

 For those with pain and stiffness from osteoarthritis, start balance exercises today with the Exercise For Balance DVD to improve balance and prevent falls.
For more information see http://www.mayoclinic.com/health-information/