Arthritis is a painful and debilitating condition that can limit a person’s activities and can quickly reduce the quality of life for seniors in the High Desert region. At St. Bernardine Care Providers, we believe that our Inland Empire seniors can benefit from exercises that are designed to help people who have been diagnosed with arthritis.
An exercise routine that is both safe and effective will help an Apple Valley senior battling arthritis to strengthen their bones and slowly allow them to enjoy some of the things they used to do in the past without pain, consequence or worry.
What are some Simple Exercises that Seniors with Arthritis Can Enjoy?
Bridges — This exercise helps the muscles in the lower back. The first step to this exercise is to lie on the floor and bend the knees. The person performing the exercise should tighten their abdominal region, and then proceed to lift their hips toward the ceiling.
They should strive to go as high as is comfortable for them — this will be different for each individual senior. Once the person has reached their peak height, they should hold the pose for five seconds and tighten the gluteus. After, the hips should slowly be lowered back to the floor. It is recommended that seniors repeat this step five to eight times, depending on their own strength and endurance.
Ball Circles — This exercise is a good choice for seniors who want to strengthen their core and relieve pain in their arms, while at the same time preserving their joints. The first step to this exercise is to hold a special stability ball in front of the body with both hands.
Seniors should begin to rotate the ball in a circle clockwise for about a minute, while also tightening the muscles in the abdominal region. After a minute, the person exercising should alternate and rotate the ball counter-clockwise for a minute.
Chair Sits — This is an ideal exercise for seniors who want to strengthen the muscles in their legs, as well as their core. This exercise is similar to squats, but squats are often too difficult for seniors to perform.
Essentially, the patient should sit down on the chair in front of them and stand back up again. This motion should be repeated between six and eight times in order to help strengthen the muscles and relieve arthritis pain.
It is important to note that seniors should talk about any new exercises they want to try with their health care provider. A physician will discuss a person’s individual situation and help them decide if these exercises are the best choice for their arthritis pain.
It is also essential that all seniors who are partaking in a new exercise routine work with a partner who can help them complete the exercise safely and effectively. This allows them to enjoy all of the benefits of their new exercise program without worrying that they are putting themselves at additional risk for injury.
