Arthritis Relief with Aquatic Exercises

Pool workouts could be your ticket to improving the range of motion in stiff, inflamed joints. In a British study of 106 sedentary people with knee and hip osteoarthritis, more than half the group performed hour - long pool exercises twice weekly, while the rest received educational treatment material. After one year, the exercisers had significantly greater mobility and flexibility and less pain than those who weren't diving into the pool.

"Water takes stress off joints and blocks some of the pain sensation, allowing people who normally can't exercise to engage in activity, loosen stiff joints, strengthen muscles, and see lasting results," says Mary Rodts, a registered nurse with orthopedic certification and assistant professor at Rush College of Nursing in Chicago.

Contact the Arthritis Foundation at (800) 283-7800 for a free brochure about water exercise and arthritis, and to locate Arthritis Foundation aquatic classes in your area.