Half an hour of exercise a day is the recommendation of the experts to have good health, both physical and mental. The importance of physical activity lies in the fact that it stimulates various functions of the body, from the brain to those carried out by the tissues that make up and support the body (bones and muscles).
In fact, there are those who point out that patients with conditions related to arthritis can also benefit from performing an exercise routine, provided that it takes into account the symptoms that afflict people.
The health entity Mayo Clinic mentions that physical activity and, above all, stretching, They allow to maintain physical condition, strength and elasticity, which are key for limbs and other parts of the body made up of joints to function properly.
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Among other reasons given by specialists to highlight the importance of exercise, from the portal they indicate that it is a habit to prevent the development of risk factors for health, such as overweight and obesity. In addition, by requiring the movement of the bone and muscle structure, the stiffness of the joints that may be causing the pain is mitigated.
What exercise improves knee osteoarthritis pain?
The joints are a set of tissues that work like a gear, an example of these are the knees, in which bones and muscles are joined. The Clinic of the University of Navarra explains that this type of osteoarthritis is common during aging and occurs due to the deterioration of the cartilage of the knee.
The latter functions as a cushion to counteract the shock between the bones, but when the cartilage is lost, that friction is direct, so a sensation of pain is generated. This discomfort may be accompanied by swelling and difficulty moving the knee.
Physiotherapy experts share some exercises that can be integrated into the routine, easy to practice and that promise to be good for reducing pain, even some of these can be done from bed.
Through a video on its YouTube account, Physiotherapy Querétaro indicated a series of exercises to do at home. The first consists of lying on the bed or another flat surface, a folded towel is placed below the knees, in such a way that it raises the area.
To perform the exercise, one leg must be bent while the other continues to rest on the towel, the latter is the one that will exert pressure on the towel (controlling breathing). Ten repetitions should be performed, leaving only a few seconds between them for the joint to rest. Then repeat with the other leg.
Another exercise consists of bending the legs while lying down and performing an elevated stretch of the leg, pushing from the heel, they explain from Physiotherapy Querétaro. Ten repetitions are also practiced and the leg is inserted followingwards.
The experts from the Spanish Society of Rheumatology indicate that walking can also be an option for patients, especially when the symptoms are mild and that effort is supported, since in more advanced stages they specify that it is best to avoid overloading the knees.
It is also good, as indicated by the institution, that strengthening activities be carried out, to preserve the tissues that make up the knee joint. In that sense, recommends another simple exercise that requires only a chair. The person should get up and sit down, ensuring that when raising the knee it stretches completely. You should do at least five repetitions of this.
“Noticing pain with activity they tend to be less active. The important thing is to understand that this leads to more weakness and will make them feel worse and worse”, which is why the practice of exercise should not be ruled out in patients suffering from osteoarthritis.
