Exercises & Stretches to Reduce Joint Pain

Managing chronic joint pain is a process that isn't achieved overnight, but is rather cumulative over the days, weeks, months and even years as patients seek to regain function and mobility.

To improve functionality of joints that are currently inflamed or in pain it is integral to have a regular exercise routine that improves range of motion, tones the muscles, and assists with maintaining a healthy balance.

Warm Up

Warming up before any kind of exercising and stretching is important to avoid injury that can be sustained by not properly taking specific care to maintain limber function in the limbs about to be exercised.

Warming up before a workout is necessary when preparing to undertake any strenuous activity, increasing the body's core and muscle temperature, making those muscles more pliable. A warm up also increases the heart and respiratory rate, increasing bloody flow and oxygen delivers to the muscles.

A typical warm up can be considered any light aerobic or physical activity such as jogging, swimming, bicycling, or walking. The aim of the warm up is to increase blood flow so as to aid in the transportation of oxygen to the muscles.

Static Stretching

Static stretching is a safe and effective means of stretching, with a reduced risk of injury and invaluable to overall flexibility. Static stretches are performed while the body is in place, positioned to put a certain muscle or muscle group under tension.

Static stretching also helps lengthen the muscles and tendons, allowing for the limb to gain a greater range of motion while at the same time protecting injury prone muscles and tendons.