Many people with arthritis choose to take self medications, while some alternatives may even work better. For example, exercise can help improve joint pain and stiffness. However, some patients may have difficulty exercising.  Therefore, some strategies can be implemented to overcome these hurdles.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a joint-related disease that causes stiffness and pain in joints due to which exercise and other sports activities become uncomfortable and painful. A recent study result has depicted that approximately 53% of patients with arthritis are unable to perform the exercises or any other physical activity as compared to people without arthritis.

According to Karen J. Green, Physical therapist, Cleveland Clinic, Ohio, exercise should be modified by RA patients to reduce the stress on joints and ligaments. The main idea to adapt exercises is to reduce the overall stress at the joints, decrease the potential barriers and maximize the benefit of exercise.

Low impact exercises like yoga, pilates, weight training and brisk walking help in bone strengthening and are equally effective as high-impact exercises like running. The critical point is to look for the ways that help in reducing the stress on joints. One must listen to his body and modify exercises in a way that minimises the stress on joints.

According to Green, sufferers should also remember that the amount of comfortable motion may eventually change. Green also added that sufferers should exercise more significant body parts, avoid working out to the point of discomfort, and decrease the intensity when soreness and joint pain takes place.

It is advised that arthritis patients having difficulty in physical activities should consider pain management alternatives, such as glucosamine. Glucosamine is one of the most effective of all joint health ingredients that are often utilized by athletes and people living with arthritis.