Exercise has many benefits for the person with arthritis. It will strengthen the muscles around the joints, minimize friction between bones, decrease joint swelling and pain and in-crease energy and stamina.

But why would you want to exercise, especially when you suffer from joint pain? Consider what happens if you never try to exercise those painful, stiff joints again? The answer is quite simple:  biology! Since joint cartilage thrives on healthy activity, when you put a joint through its full range of motion, you flush the area with the nutrients that keep it healthy. If you don’t exercise, it starves and crumbles away. When you go for a walk or do an exercise routine, your joints improve.

If ever there were a perfect excuse not to exercise, arthritis pain would seem to be it. But a properly designed exercise program not only decreases pain, but can increase your flexibility and overall fitness.

In addition, the muscles, tendons, ligaments and other assorted soft tissues surrounding your joints need regular exercise or they will shrink, stiffen up and become progressively weaker.

Pain relief isn’t the only reason to exercise. Arthritis robs you of mobility and flexibility and exercise is a perfect antidote! You 'll have less stiffness, more flexibility, increase your strength and endurance, and have a healthier heart!

Research shows that people with arthritis can perform gentle stretching and strengthening exercises, as well as more robust activities without any significant risk. Age isn’t a factor either; in fact, the older you are, the more you need to exercise!

Exercise confers an even more direct benefit. When you are active, you "feed" your joints. Cartilage (the tough gristle that protects the ends of bones) depends on joint movement to absorb nutrients and remove waste.

Interested in exercising to improve your quality of life? Check with your doctor or physiotherapist to help you set up an exercise plan.

Holding your wrist, form the letter 'O’ by lightly touching your thumb to each fingertip

Lay your hand, palm down, on a table, with fingers and thumb extended and touching. Slide your thumb away from your fingers, then slide your index finger toward your thumb (keeping the rest of the hand immobile), your long finger toward your index finger. Do all fingers. Change sides

Stretch your thumb as far as possible away from
your fingers

* Arthritis Society web page