Managing Arthritis And Senior Balance Exercises

Senior Balance Exercises For Arthritic Joints

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

   Older adults who struggle with arthritis are encouraged to perform certain muscle strengthening exercises and senior balance exercises . Please see    http://www.exerciseforbalance.com/buy-now Throughout the aging process, arthritis, joint stiffness, muscle weakness and immobility due to falling can increase. affects nearly one-third of elders. In particular,  Arthritis is a condition in which there is inflammation of the joints caused by the breakdown of cartilage that protects bones from rubbing against one another. The most common symptoms of arthritis are pain, swelling, stiffness and reduced mobility—all of which can increase the risk of falling. In fact, the likelihood of a fall is nearly 3 times more likely for individuals with arthritis. This is due to several factors:

•    Arthritis of the knee and/or hip joints, in particular, can limit the ability to walk and change positions effectively and safely (such as when getting in/out of bathtubs, getting up from beds, chairs, toilets, etc.). In addition to joint pain and stiffness, persons with arthritis have weakness of their thigh muscles. This makes walking and maintaining balance much more difficult.

•    Inactivity (and a lack of exercise) caused by arthritic pain and stiffness results in weakened muscles and lack of flexibility, which affects balance.

•    Analgesic medications for chronic arthritic pain are associated with potential side effects (drowsiness, dizziness, drops in blood pressure, mental changes, etc.) that can lead to balance loss and falling.

In short, unrelieved arthritic pain (due to inadequate analgesia) and/or inactivity can influence falling, while some arthritis pain medications (due to side effects) can further increase the risk of falls. As a result, improving stability through practicing senior balance exercises is essential for older individuals.

Necessity Of Senior Balance Exercises

   To enhance steadiness with all movement activities, folks with Osteoarthritis need to rehearse certain senior balance exercises on a daily basis. One example of an appropriate equilibrium routine for those with arthritis includes standing with your feet shoulder width a part and slowly leaning forwards and backwards so you shift your body weight around your ankles. This steadiness routine helps to build muscle strength in key calf muscles used for balance. This weight shifting routine also  develops important balance reactions at the feet and ankles, which are necessary for stability. Furthermore, this weight shifting exercise also assists in increasing ankle mobility to reduce stiffness in the joints for those with arthritis. You can learn these stability exercises and other senior balance exercises by following the direction of a qualified Physical Therapist in the Exercise For Balance DVD.

Senior Balance Exercises In The Exercise For Balance DVD

    For those with arthritis, please initiate a program of the best balance exercises with the Exercise For Balance DVD. The healthcare professional recommended Exercise For Balance DVD is an excellent educational DVD to use at home or in a group setting. The easy to understand and to follow Exercise For Balance DVD includes  a step by step series of up to date balance and strength exercises necessary to optimize senior fitness and to perform basic daily activities like shopping, doing laundry,  walking, standing, cleaning house, stair climbing or to advance to more difficult activities like skiing, dancing, bocce ball and hiking. In the  comprehensive Exercise For Balance DVD, you will learn how to improve stability, steadiness techniques and balance routines from a  qualified balance specialist --- licensed Physical Therapist---who has worked with balance and dizziness disorders for over 25 years. Get your copy of the Exercise For Balance DVD by clicking on the BUY NOW button

 Get joints moving by starting 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/