Exercise with arthritis

If you have arthritis, three different kinds of activity should be incorporated into your exercise program: flexibility training, strength training and aerobic exercise. That may seem like a lot, but once you get into a routine and notice the benefits each provides, it will become a normal part of your everyday life. Flexibility Training Stiff joints hurt your ability to perform daily tasks, like buttoning a shirt or opening a can. But stretching will improve your range of motion, resulting in greater flexibility and less pain. Stretch every major muscle group daily, paying particular attention to the joints affected by arthritis to help prevent joint stiffness and soreness. Try SparkPeople's Stretching Guide. This program offers a wide variety of stretches, from seated to standing and beginner to advanced. Choose the stretches that work for you and do them on a daily basis. Avoid bouncing during stretches. A stretch should be slow, controlled, and not pushed to the point of pain. Strength Training Weak muscles are common in people with arthritis. This decrease in strength is often caused by inactivity (due to the pain of arthritis) or medication side effects. Muscular strength is important because it decreases the stress on your joints, absorbs shock, protects your joints from injury, and helps improve your overall mobility. Before you start a strength training program, talk to your doctor for recommendations based on your condition and the degree of inflammation you experience. Try to perform strengthening exercises every other day. Start slowly and master the form of each exercise without weights, then move up to light weights that you can control. SparkPeople's Guide to Strength Training and Exercise Demos can help you get started. Try isometric exercises. These safe and effective moves contract your muscles but don't move the joint (i.e. holding a bag of groceries). They're great for people with very painful joints because they build muscular strength with very little joint motion. Some examples of isometric exercises in the Fitness Resource Center include: Isometric Biceps Hold with Towel and Isometric Shoulder Hold with Towel. But you can modify any exercise to make it isometric by holding the position without repeating the movement. For example, Dumbbell Squats and Forward Lunges become isometric when you lower into the squat or lunge position and hold it there instead of performing the up and down motion. Avoid strength training if you are experiencing joint swelling or pain. Resume your activities when the swelling and pain subside. Based on Spark People, Jen Mueller, Personal Trainer Let's connect at info@gaiaadventures.com. Catherine D'Aoust at GAIA Adventures, Kinesiologist, Workshops http://www.gaiaadventures.com Stability Ball Workshop (basic 2 day) June 15, 16 in Vancouver, July 13, 14 in Whistler 14 MTA credits, 14 BCRPA credits Advanced Ball Training June 17, Vancouver 7 credits Foam Rolling Workshop (1 day) Whistler, July 15, CECs, 7 credits

Core Exercises for you and your clients

The following core exercises are simple enough to do on your own. To be safe, you should always check with your doctor before trying any new exercises. Leg Press Lie on the floor with your knees bent and the soles of your feet on the floor. Raise your right leg off the floor with the knee still bent until your leg forms a 90-degree angle. Rest your right hand on the kneecap. Push against your knee with your right hand while pulling your knee toward your hand with your abdominal muscles. Hold for 3-4 deep breaths. Repeat with the left leg and hand. Abdominal Crunch Lie on your back and place your feet on the wall, so that your knees form a 90-degree angle. Cross your arms on your chest. Keep your gaze fixed forward. Using your abdominal muscles—not your neck—lift your chest as far as you can off the floor, even if it is only an inch or two. Hold for 2-3 seconds if you can, then release. Repeat 8 times. Remember to breathe deeply throughout this exercise. It is also very important to activate the four core muscles (inner unit) prior to performing any movement. See my next blog for safe, easy to perform core exercises.

Come join me in my new "Foam Rolling workshop", approved in BC, Saskatchewan, Nova Scotia, Ontario, and soon to be in Alberta and Manitoba: Saskatoon May 28, Whistler July 15, Halifax Sept 17, Winnipeg Nov 5 and St John, NB Nov 16 (at the AGM). Let me know how you use the roller in your practice. Let's connect at info@gaiaadventures.com. Catherine D'Aoust at GAIA Adventures, Kinesiologist, Workshops www.gaiaadventures.com Stability Ball Workshop (basic 2 day) May 26, 27 in Saskatoon, June 15, 16 in Vancouver, July 13, 14 in Whistler Advanced Ball Training June 17, Vancouver Foam Rolling Workshop (1 day) Whistler, July 15, Saskatoon, May 28, CECs,

The importance of your Core

Whenever you walk, run or work, your core muscles are active, keeping you upright, balancing your body as your weight shifts, and absorbing the impact as your feet hit the ground. Your body’s core forms the foundation of all your movement. If your core is weak, you are susceptible to poor posture and injury. Lower back pain is also more likely to occur. Your core muscles lie deep within your torso and pelvis. They are layered, overlapping and connected to each other. Unlike weight lifting, a core-strengthening program exercises your whole system at once. You also don’t need any equipment. The strength you use in holding a position, as well as the gravitational pull of your own weight, work out the core muscles. You’ll be surprised at how great an effect a simple routine can have on your daily living activities. The Core Benefits The major core muscle is called the transversus abdominis. It is deep in your abdomen and circles your torso. To feel it contract, pull your belly button toward your spine. Hold the contraction for 10 seconds, then release. Repeat several times. You can do this exercise anytime, anywhere. Breathing is important while you do core exercises. Practice breathing deeply from your diaphragm before starting core exercises. Sit or stand with your back straight and shoulders relaxed. Exhale through your mouth for 6 seconds, expelling as much air from your lungs as you can. Then inhale for 6 counts, feeling your belly and chest expand as your lungs fill with air. Repeat 3 times, then breathe at a more normal pace throughout your exercises. "Adapted from the American Institute of Cancer Research". It is also very important to activate the four core muscles (inner unit) prior to performing any movement. See my next blog for safe, easy to perform core exercises. Come join me in my new "Foam Rolling workshop", approved in BC, Saskatchewan, Nova Scotia, Ontario, and soon to be in Alberta and Manitoba: Saskatoon May 28, Whistler July 15, Halifax Sept 17, Winnipeg Nov 5 and St John, NB Nov 16 (at the AGM). Let me know how you use the roller in your practice. Let's connect at info@gaiaadventures.com. Catherine D'Aoust at GAIA Adventures, Kinesiologist, Workshops www.gaiaadventures.com Stability Ball Workshop (basic 2 day) May 26, 27 in Saskatoon, June 15, 16 in Vancouver, July 13, 14 in Whistler Advanced Ball Training June 17, Vancouver Foam Rolling Workshop (1 day) Whistler, July 15, Saskatoon, May 28, CECs,