Is it possible to remain pain free if I have arthritis and what type of exercises are safe to do?

Ageing is an inevitable part of life. We can’t stop it but we can attempt to slow it down so that we can enjoy every minute of it! As we get older, the space between our joints becomes narrowed and extra bony growths called osteophytes form. This is what we call arthritis. Most people over the age of 30 will have some degree of arthritis, but that does not mean that they have to be in pain. Just like a bike with a rusty chain-  if you maintain it each day and keep the chain well oiled, it will keep working for many more years to come and give you a much smoother ride!

The joints in our body work in much the same way. If we keep our joints well oiled, they will work for years without giving us too many problems. This can be achieved by doing simple mobility exercises every day. Conversely, taking arthritic medications on their own without doing exercise is like sticking oil on the chain of a bike and not spinning the wheels around. It will certainly work a little better but it won’t make a huge difference. This is why it is important for us to be doing daily mobility exercises. As nearly everyone over the age of 30 will have some degree of arthritis on xray, it is important to start these exercises sooner rather than later.

We are born with these amazing bodies but no one ever teaches us how to use them properly. As an example, around the age of 12 months, we begin to walk but no one actually teaches us. We mimic what we see our parents and adults around us doing. So if we begin to pick up bad habits along the way and don’t walk correctly, we can end up with earlier degeneration in our hip and knee joints and increased likelihood of joint replacement surgeries in later life.

Physiofusion have specifically developed two programs for the over 50s and over 60s that focus on improving posture, balance, mobility, flexibility, stability and strength in every area of the body. These maintenance and well-being programs are suitable for the whole family from 8 to 108 years of age. They include some simple tips for walking, sitting and standing more efficiently and  are also beneficial for teenagers suffering from growing pains or sporting injuries.

For a free one month trial of all 12 physiofusion programs for the whole family, go to www.physiofusion.com.au, click on the COUPONS tab and enter the code TrialPhysio. Programs can also be purchased as a DVD, USB, download or via an online subscription for as little as $2.50/wk.

Get back to doing the things that you love and be pain and injury free today!

Sally Buratowski

Physiotherapist

BPhty(Hons)UQ