In rheumatism and arthritis helps active movement

Avoid relieving rheumatism and arthritis

12/10/2011

Patients who suffer from rheumatism, automatically go into a physical posture to avoid pain. An immobilization of the affected body regions is the wrong recovery strategy, as the German Rheumatism League e.V. The initiative launches the campaign on the occasion of World Rheumatism Day „Active against rheumatic pain“.

Restraint increases movement restrictions and pain
To avoid oncoming pain, most rheumatism patients go into a physical restraint. However, the gentle posture leads to an increase in symptoms and increasingly limits joint mobility. In the longer term pain is significantly increased. "We want to get rheumatism patients out of the rest and encourage them to become active in spite of pain," said the chairman of the German Rheumatism League (DRL), Professor Erika Gromnica-Ihle, in a press release from the association.

Positive effects could be achieved in practice through muscle building training. Movement without excessive stress can be helpful in improving the symptoms of arthritis or arthritis. The training can achieve favorable effects even in patients of advanced age. This applies in the opinion of the experts, especially in osteoporosis and spinal disorders. For sufferers suffering from fibromyalgia, a special exercise therapy is an important pillar of therapy, as confirmed by the current guideline. „Targeted strength and coordination training, supported by endurance training, can help to maintain or increase the capacity of the musculoskeletal system and the cardiovascular system with the help of MTT. As an active form of therapy, it serves to secure and improve rehabilitation success, so that those affected can better meet the demands of professional life and everyday life and can actively participate in all areas of life again“, explains Monika Schäfer, Dipl. Sports Teacher of the Rheuma-Liga Niedersachsen.

Active against rheumatic pain
The DRL launches today the campaign "Active against rheumatic pain". „With our actions we also want to sensitize the public for the topic 'rheumatism', because the disease can affect anyone“, says Prof. Erika Gromnica-Ihle, president of the self-help community with more than 260,000 members. The actions are supported by a number of relevant organizations, which also include the medical professional associations of orthopedic surgeons and accident surgeons as well as rheumatologists. In the course of the actions, there will be numerous new brochures, events and information materials.

After all, according to statistical projections, one in four Germans will sooner or later be affected by musculoskeletal restrictions and pain. Even today, up to 7 million Germans suffer from osteoarthritis, especially in the hip and knee joint area. „Pain and fatigue are major conditions in inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, collagenosis or vasculitis“. In addition, tens of millions of people suffer from chronic back pain, low back pain or fibromyalgia. Already school children are increasingly affected by diseases of the musculoskeletal system. This is, among other things, the result of a society that consumes more and more and at the same time moves less and less.

Tai Chi Beneficial for arthritis
Around 100,000 rheumatism patients now regularly use exercise programs for rheumatism leagues in their hometown. These include dance classes, tai-chi and yoga. In addition, aqua-cycling or muscle-building training is also part of the medical training therapy (MTT). Recent studies have found that Tai Chi has a beneficial effect on arthritis and relieves pain.

Also read:
Tai Chi as a remedy for arthritis
With Tai Chi for arthritis complaints
Back pain exercises

Image: Sparkie