If you have arthritis, there are some things you can do to ease the pain besides take medicine. Some healthy choices and lifestyle changes can help you feel better. Especially exercise.

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Avoid a sedentary lifestyle. Particularly good for arthritis sufferers are yoga, tai chi, water aerobics, swimming, any kind of stretching, Choose a form of exercise you like and keep it within the limits that are comfortable for you.

Hiking and walking can burn calories, strengthen your muscles, build stamina and bones, and lift your spirits. So can low-impact aerobics and kickboxing.

Biking is good exercise without putting undue stress on your joints.

Lifting weights helps build bones and stronger muscles, which in turn protect the joints. Strong abdominal muscles provide good balance, helping to prevent falls and protect joints as well. Avoid high-impact aerobics, which can hurt the knees.


Do warm-up stretches before exercise and try a warm bath afterwards. How you treat yourself before and after exercise is as critical as how you treat yourself during a workout.


Consider wearing elbow, wrist and joint braces or guards to prevent injury and reduce the load on your joints.


An athletic trainer can help you exercise the correct way to prevent injury and avoid stress on your joints.


Gentle exercises can help you maintain flexibility and build strength - even in inflammation-affected joints. Of course, you'll want to avoid activities that make the pain worse. But a healthy level of activity may reduce the discomfort of inflammation. Talk to your doctor before you begin an exercise program.