A study confirms what people with knee and hip osteoarthritis (OA) have known all along – aquatic exercise can help relieve pain and improve daily function.
The study, which appears in The Cochrane Library, analyzed six trials with a collective 800 participants with OA. Four studies included patients with OA of either the knee or hip, one study followed patients with only hip OA and one included patients with only knee OA.
In the studies, some patients did aquatic exercises for different lengths of time and numbers of sessions per week, while others did no exercise or exercised on land. Most of the studies measured patients after three months of therapy.
Based on the studies’ results, the reviewers said, “In people with osteoarthritis of the hip or knee, pain may decrease by one more point on a scale of 0 to 20 with aquatic exercise, and function may improve by three more points on a scale of 0 to 68.”
Based on these findings the study’s authors say, “one may consider using aquatic exercise as the first part of a longer exercise program for osteoarthritis patients.”
The Cochrane Library is a publication of The Cochrane Collaboration, an international organization that evaluates research in all aspects of health care.
It is important for people with arthritis to exercise in a heated pool between 80 to 85 degrees. With damaged joints, you start working out slowly. The water takes the stress off your joints but you are still working hard. One of the best exercises for damaged knees and hips: walking with a normal stride in the pool.
Water aerobic classes and arthritis classes can be found at the YWCA,aquatic centers, and fitness centers with pool. Many schools with evening adult classes are offering them. Please let the instructor know about any issues you have.
For the skin; Get a small spray bottle. Fill with 1 capful of apple cider vingar and water. Spray on skin after coming out of the pool. Then rinse off. That has helped me.
I only wish my husband were in good enough health to make him a better candidate for this surgery to relieve him of the pain he has in his hips. If it were up to me, I would submit for the surgery & take my chances on the outcome. He is currently doing hydro therapy & is seeing a slight improvement in movement.From the Drs in our area we hear hydro therapy is the up & coming treatment for us baby boomers.
Just thought I would throw this into the mix on this site.
God's blessings to all of us who are suffering from this disease. Lord, I ask you to inspire those in research to find a cure for this crippling painful disease.
So, Arthritis Today people -- tell us what exercises they were doing, how many, how often and for how long. And tell us the measurement error for the study.
... Hmm, the study's participants' pain decreased 1 point out of 20 -- that's 5%. So if a person's pain was 95%, after water exercises it dropped to 90%. How could they tell the difference?
3 points on a scale of 68? What kind of scale is that? Whatever, it represents a 4% drop in perceived pain. How do the studiers know this isn't measurement error?
It sounds as though the study found arthritics got no real pain relief through water exercises.
I have fibromyalgia and OA in several joints and the water, as well as strength training three times a week, keeps worse symptoms at bay.
Five years ago I broke a hip and ten days after surgery my doctor told me to get back into the water, which I did, and fully recovered in a good time frame.
I could go on and on, but you get the picture. Water works!!!
I am a cerified Arthritis foundaton water
exercise instructor. I have been doing this
for one-half years.
The people with joint problems over a period of time see sum relief in pain and movement. Believe me have arthristis on my left knee.
P.s. you do not need to know how to swim.
Then I had both knees replaced. It was great!
Now I cannot tolerate the chlorine. Break out all over my body.
I have not been in a pool for almost 9 months and I feel a big difference in strength and balance.
I feel much more pain.
Any sugestions on how I can avoid this rash that is like "posion ivy"?
I have tried other work outs at the gym but they are hard on back injuries and the knees.
have gained weight which I know does not help the situation.
thank you for your help....
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