Finding ways to deal with stress is integral to managing your pain.
Research Center’s Methodology Core at the Thurston Arthritis Research Center, University of North Car- olina at Chapel Hill. Callahan was also the lead author on a 2009 study that found that eight weeks of ex- ercise combining range-of-motion and flexibility moves with light resistance training improved pain, mobility and flexibility for the 347 participants with arthritis. Even better, the relief was immediate and long-lasting; many participants in the study report- ed having less pain six months later. That’s just an- other study in a long list showing the good effects of
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exercise on arthritis pain, says Callahan. Some likely benefits: Those who are at a healthy weight will see improvements in flexibility and stamina and less joint pain, fatigue and depression. And if you’re overweight, moving your body regularly obviously makes it easier to shed excess weight. Every 10 pounds you lose takes 30 to 60 pounds of pressure off the joints in your knees. Callahan recommends range- of-motion exercises combined with yoga or tai chi, both of which mix flexibility and muscle function with low-impact exercise. Other good options to try