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Transcripts-7/10/00
Arthritis & Exercise Amy Wright,
P.T.
InsightHostKJ> Amy...why dont you start by telling us about yourself
Amy> Okay. I'm a PT. I graduated from the Univ. of MS Medical Center in 1992. I love being a PT and working with people.
InsightHostKJ> Short and sweet! LOL....before we start with questions...do you have any general tips for arthritis and exercise?
Amy> Yes. Know when to exercise and when to rest. Listen to your body.
InsightHostKJ> How can we tell it is time for rest?
Amy> You know when you've overdone it the next day, right? That can
help to be your guide to pace yourself. With RA, if the joint is inflammed,
then don't stress it even more with strenuous exercise for example.
Melanie> If your joints are swollen and sore all the time, how do you decide you can do exercises?
Amy> That's a good question, Melanie. I would suggest with basic ROM exercises - very gentle, and just to your tolerance. Then try to increase reps or range as you can. Slow but gentle.
Eddie> It doesn't take much some days to overdo. Are any types of exercise better for "protecting" the joints?
Amy> Yes, but the exercise would be specific to the joint and the type of arthritis that you have.
InsightHostKJ> Amy....can you tell us specific exercises for certain joints?
Amy> That may take some time and space over the internet. This is a hands off approach to therapy! But I can try if you would like.
InsightHostKJ> LOL...ok...lets go on to swimmer's question then
swimmer> I know what you are saying by slow and gentle, but, to me that doesn't feel like exercise. I want to get my heart rate up, sweat a little. How can I do that with RA?
swimmer> Or should I not?
Amy> It depends on what your goal for the exercise is, and at what stage with RA that you are experiencing. The basic ROM is to maintain or increase your joint range. Now your talking more aggressive therapy. I always suggest non weight bearing activities - such as swimming or bicycyling for aerobic activity. Now there is also the tubing exercises to provide resistance during regular strength training also.
JBK> Sometimes it's my muscles that are inappropriately fatigued after exercise, not my joints. What's that about?
Amy> I would expect the muscle to be fatigued rather than the joint. Did I completely misunderstand your question?
JBK> Why are they inappropriately fatigued? Example: I trimmed the hedges, which was something I could do with ease before RA. Now, after that exercise, I couldn't move my arms the entire next day. What's up?
Amy> After exercise though, the muscles will be slightly sore, but it should not last more than a day.
jimmy> Amy I enjoy golf for my exercise even though ther is pain when I play.Are there any warm up exercises that would help my wrist and knuckles.I have RA
Amy> For the hands, squeezing, stretching the fingers apart, wrist bending up and down (you'll have to use your imagination - a picture is worth a thousand words right now!)
Eddie> Is there anything that will help with carpel tunnel besides splints? my little fingers & ring fingers go numb frequently.
Amy> The splints are supposed to position the wrist properly so the nerve is not compressed. Stretching and mobilizing the wrist, and pain relife modalities can help to decrease wrist pain as well.
Melanie> Lets talk knees. How do you exercise them to decrease pain from walking?
Amy> Melanie - The pain may be decreased from using heat or ice before or after walking. There are several knee strengthening exercises that can be done.
InsightHostKJ> Amy could you describe some of those exercises and email them to me later and I'll put them up?
Amy> Sure. That's where the PT skills come in. The exercises that are right for one person may not be what another person needs. But I'll be glad to send some basic exercises.
InsightHostKJ> that would be great...and we understand that nothing is for everyone...
sharon> "I do knees exercises and h2o exercises to help the RA but now my wrist, ankles, and knees are acting up. Should I keep up the exercise?
Amy> I would refer you back to the PT that set up the program for you to determine if the exercises that you're doing are still beneficial.
Eddie> Ref my earlier question. What are pain relief modalities?
Amy> heat, ice, electrical stimulation --all sorts of fun PT terrorists stuff
Amy> Eddie - more seriously: we do use modailities like heat, and ice applications, but joint manipulation can also relive joint pain as well.
Diane2> What kind of exercise is good to loosen up and cool down joints after exercise?
Amy> slow gentle stretching of the muscles is good for waming up and cooling down.
jimmy> When you have a bad flare up should you try to execise or give your body complete rest?
Amy> During the bad flare ups, a rest from strengthening is needed. The inflammation in the joint irritates the tissues so, they don't really need to be stressed with heavy weights or vigorous stretching and exercises. What you can do is basic ROM - you move the joint slowly through as much range as possible to decrease stiffness and maintain the range.
molli> similar questions have come up...but I do not have a PT and I do have a swimming pool. I swim laps or kick laps for my exercise but my shoulders are on and off with flares...should I keep working them if not severe pain or not swim at all?
Amy> Keep swimming. Not as aggressive during the flares, but still as much movement as you can.
InsightHostKJ> That's all the time we have for questions tonight, but you can always send a question to Amy through the website,
experts@arthritisinsight.com
Diane2> Thank you Amy. :-)
molli> thanks, Amy
InsightHostRon> thanks Amy
InsightHostKJ> Thanks Amy! I am sure we'll have many more questions later!
jimmy> thank you Amy
Amy> My pleasure - this has been fun!
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