When you experience discomfort and pain associated with arthritis, your joints become inflamed as a result of reduced soft tissue cushioning them. Osteoarthritis is generally the result of aging and something that most people will experience as they older. Knowing what you can do to improve your symptoms can help to keep you more active and comfortable. Yoga is a form of exercise you might talk to your doctor about to aid with your arthritis.
Better Flow of Joint Synovial Fluid
The synovial fluid is present in your joints to help in keeping them lubricated. This makes it easier for your joints to move without friction. When you have arthritis and you start to get older, the amount of this fluid starts to decrease. Anything that works to promote its flow helps to keep your joints healthier and more comfortable. Yoga is something that might improve the flow of this fluid.
Enjoy Stronger Joints
The strength of your joints is critical when you want to keep them healthy. When you are doing yoga, especially poses directed at your major joints, you are not only working the joint, but also the muscles that surround it. This is critical because when your joints have the right level of muscular support, they are more likely to be healthy. Strong joints are also less prone to injury which is especially important when you are getting older or have arthritis.
Picking the Right Poses
There are certain poses that are better than others when it comes to improving joint health for those with arthritis. Make sure to review the following poses with your doctor to make sure that they are a safe choice for you:
- Cat and Cow Pose
- Tree Pose
- Child’s Pose
- Cow Face Pose
- Bridge Pose
Cat and Cow Pose and Bridge Pose are the most difficult of the five, but all can be done with practice and help from an experienced yoga instructor. The key is making sure that you are doing each pose properly so that you are reaping the most benefits.
You can see that a knee pain doctor is definitely someone you want to visit if your osteoarthritis is becoming particularly bothersome. When you are there, you want to get tips and methods that you can use to reduce your pain and work to improve overall joint health. Yoga is an option that you might explore. You can use the information here to get started. It is best to take at least one class to ensure that you are doing the poses correctly.
When you are feeling joint pain that isn’t improving, it might be time to check out the situation with an orthopedic specialist. If you would like to request a consultation with one of the orthopedic specialists at the Orthopedic & Sports Institute (OSI), please call (920) 560-1000 or request an appointment online.
Additionally, OSI offers a Walk-In Clinic at its Appleton location for new, acute orthopedic injuries.
The Orthopedic & Sports Institute has convenient locations to serve you. In addition to the flagship facility in Appleton, you will find outreach clinics in New London, Ripon, Shawano, Waupaca, and the newest location serving the Green Bay area, inside the NOVO Health Clinic in De Pere.
OSI is a proud member of NOVO Health.