For many older people, arthritis is a struggle of daily life. You may have the knowledge that you need to exercise but the pain you experience in your joints negates any yearning to move.

Is it possible to safely exercise without the worry of flare ups?

Of course. Let’s take a look at some of the best tips and tricks you can apply to your daily life to exercise without pain.

1. MAKE IT LOW IMPACT

On the most basic level, exercise can be looked at as High Impact or Low Impact.

High Impact exercises are the ones that are hardest on your joints. If you are young and without medical issues then these types of exercises are helpful for building joint and tendon strength. If you are suffering from arthritis; however, these exercises can do a lot of damage. Some examples include plyometrics (jump training) and power lifting.

Focus on Low Impact exercises including the following:

• Swimming (most popular and the best)
• Tai Chi
• Yoga (beginner level)
• Dancing
• Strength training (focus is on strength and muscle – NOT fast, power-based movements)

2. HYDRATE RIGHT

You know you should be drinking plenty of water each day but what if the water you’re drinking is making your arthritis worse?

Studies show that consumption of fluoride, the ingredient found in most toothpaste and in many sources of drinking water, promotes Osteofluorosis, a painful bone disease.

Want to stop making your joint and bone pain worse?

Start consuming fluoride free water.

Installing a reverse osmosis filter in your sink will remove most of the fluoride in your drinking water.

Next, you can switch up your toothpaste to a more natural solution without the fluoride. You can even make your own with coconut oil, baking soda, and peppermint oil.

3. SUPPLEMENT JOINT SUPPORT

Supplements really have changed the way we live. If you want to avoid harmful prescriptions, you can usually vouch for a supplement to help with your condition.

There are two supplements that are particularly helpful when it comes to arthritis.

For inflammation of the joints, you’ll want to supplement with turmeric. As an anti-inflammatory, turmeric has been shown to be extremely beneficial for your swollen joints.

Next, you’ll want to properly lubricate your joints. To do that, you can eat more omega 3s through fish like salmon. You’ll also want to start supplementing with glucosamine chondroitin.

Taken together, these two supplements can create a huge difference in how you feel.

TELL US WHAT YOU THINK!

Do you have arthritis?

Have you discovered your own methods for a safer, pain-free workout?

Tell us about it in the comments section!

Kurland ES1, Schulman RC, Zerwekh JE, Reinus WR, Dempster DW, Whyte MP.J. Recovery from skeletal fluorosis (an enigmatic, American case). Bone Miner Res. 2007 Jan;22(1):163-70.

Roos J, Dumolard A, Bourget S, Grange L, Rousseau A, Gaudin P, Calop J, Juvin R. Osteofluorosis caused by excess use of toothpaste. Presse Med. 2005 Nov 19;34(20 Pt 1):1518-20.