I believe swimming is good for people with arthritis (though there seems to be saying that people with rheumatoid arthritis should avoid swimming?) . I wonder if it helps prevent it? Are lifelong swimmers less likely to develop arthritis in old age?
Funny how I thought of this question. Yesterday I saw my friend's cat. She used to be a very active cat, but now at 15 she's walking like an old lady and had pains due to arthritis. It was sad to see her in this state knowing what she's like when younger. :( (My question pertains to human beings, though ;))
I have mild arthritis in pretty much my entire body--getting up in the morning, I feel a bit like the Tin Woodman. But swimming definitely helps keep me loose and supple. I also try to lift weights at least twice a week and do some stretching. I don't overdo anything, but I can feel it in my body if I haven't been able to exercise for a week.
Normally I commute into work via public transportation, which adds about a mile of walking to my daily routine, but this winter has brought our transit system in Boston almost to a standstill. As a result, I've been driving in with a co-worker. I can feel the difference--my joints are more creaky, and it takes me longer to loosen up. I'm looking forward to getting back into my normal commuting schedule so I can do that walking again. Also, my clothes feel tighter now, which I'm not happy about. : /
Almost everyone I know who doesn't exercise on a regular basis has some form of chronic pain; those of us who exercise seem to have a lot less of it. This is admittedly a very non-scientific survey of a small handful of people, so take that with a grain of salt.
I have mild arthritis in pretty much my entire body--getting up in the morning, I feel a bit like the Tin Woodman. But swimming definitely helps keep me loose and supple. I also try to lift weights at least twice a week and do some stretching. I don't overdo anything, but I can feel it in my body if I haven't been able to exercise for a week.
Normally I commute into work via public transportation, which adds about a mile of walking to my daily routine, but this winter has brought our transit system in Boston almost to a standstill. As a result, I've been driving in with a co-worker. I can feel the difference--my joints are more creaky, and it takes me longer to loosen up. I'm looking forward to getting back into my normal commuting schedule so I can do that walking again. Also, my clothes feel tighter now, which I'm not happy about. : /
Almost everyone I know who doesn't exercise on a regular basis has some form of chronic pain; those of us who exercise seem to have a lot less of it. This is admittedly a very non-scientific survey of a small handful of people, so take that with a grain of salt.
