Arthritis Exercise – Have you thought about Golf?

Thursday Aug 28, 2008

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Golf is a really good arthritis exercise. There are great physical benefits to playing golf, it adds strength and mobility to your body and significantly improves your range of motion.
Studies have proven that exercise is one of the most effective remedies for osteoarthritis. The benefits exercise brings include an improvement in your sense of well being, a reduction in pain, and an improvement in flexibility. Plus in can improve your circulation, help you to keep to an optimum weight and contribute to your general physical fitness.
Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis and it normally begins slowly. Joints that are sore after exercise or physical work may be an early sign of the disease. Any joint can be affected by osteoarthritis. Most commonly the hands, hips, knees or spine are affected, all of which are used when playing golf.
It’s OK. Golfing can increase your balance as well as you range of motion. And if you are able to do all the walking involved, it will be helpful to your health in a variety of ways. In other words, golf is a perfect exercise for someone with osteoarthritis!
Now this is essential–in order to make golf less stressful on your joints, you will most likely want to use some special products. At arthritis.org the Arthritis Foundation provides golfers with tips and suggested products to continue enjoying the sport of golf. For example, make sure that you protect yourself by wearing gloves and braces on your wrists. This will support and protect the vulnerable joints in your hands and wrists. These items are both available at a very low cost.
One solution may be using a ball with a lower compression rating. You will probably be more comfortable if you choose golf shoes that do not have spikes. Be sure to ask your local golf store specialist about that latest products and aides that will make golfing easier on your joints. New products are constantly being introduced. Before playing it is always a good idea to do some warm ups. Warm up by doing some basic stretches and practicing your golf swings.
Swinging at half strength is a good way to start stretching your muscles. Don’t ever attempt to whack the ball too hard. This is advice that everyone should follow, whether or not you have arthritis.
Accuracy is what is important! It will be helpful to use tees. During the game, be sure to drink plenty of liquids. It is important to listen to your body. If your feeling tired, rest. It’s perfectly alright if you cannot play all 18 holes. Enjoyment of the game is the most important aspect.
If you experience some aches and pains after playing, you may want to give some of these things a try.

  • A warm shower will loosen tight muscles.
  • Gently stretch the effected areas.
  • Apply ice to the area that hurts.
  • Allow the sore joint to rest.
  • Give magnetic therapy a try.
  • Try to keep your weight within normal limits.

Being overweight can cause knee and hip pain. If you are in pain for more than one hour after playing golf, it is too much.

If any of the following occur, consult your doctor or physical therapist to find out how you can change your playing style: feeling unusually or regularly tired; feeling weaker than usual; restrictions in your usual range of movement; joints become more swollen; pain which lasts for more than an hour after you finish your game or other form of exercise.

However, when all is said and done, a regular game of golf as arthritis exercise, and its associated warm-up exercises, may be the solution to your arthritis.

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