Exercise can be daunting when arthritic pain dominates just sitting, but “motion is lotion for your joints.”
“It acts as a lubrication for your joints. We say use it or lose it – if you don’t keep moving you’re going to have more issues with your joints,” said Jenessa Noviello, community education assistant for the Arthritis Society.
The society offers the third in a four-part Take Charge of Your Arthritis series twice over the next two months in Oak Bay.
Exercising Control over Arthritis, led by a physiotherapist from the Mary Pack Arthritis Centre on Richmond Road, teaches techniques to stay active as a vital part of managing arthritis and maintaining joint mobility, muscle strength and cardiovascular health.
“The exercise portion is the opportunity where we have a chance to talk about a healthy lifestyle,” Noviello said. “A lot of it is talking about ways you can access appropriate healthcare, connecting people with physiotherapists and then tips on how.”
A properly designed exercise program can not only decrease pain, but may increase flexibility and overall fitness.
“It can be overwhelming to think that you have to exercise … when you’re in pain the last thing you want to do usually is exercise,” Noviello said. “I find the groups provide a support for people who want to start exercising. During the session our participants have the opportunity to meet other people going to through the same journey which is very valuable.”
Exercising Control over Arthritis is Feb. 4 at 10:30 a.m. at the Oak Bay branch of the GVPL. Register at www.gvpl.ca or call 250-940-4875 for more information.
A second session runs at the Monterey centre March 30 from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30. Call 250-370-3700 to register. Visit arthritis.ca for more resources.