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How Weight Lifting Can Help Rheumatoid Arthritis

By Donna Rae Siegfried

Lift weights with sore joints? Yeah, right. You might think weight lifting would make arthritis worse. But think again. The benefits of strength training for arthritis are just being recognized. Weight lifting can help people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) function better and...

Domingo Ngala

24 Apr 2012, 09:24

It sounds interesting. It's like a uncovered myth just reading through the article. I have serious knee problem. I remember that after doing a few weeks of weigh lifting and some leg press and extension, i felt like the knee was feeling better; however i was wondering whether it is safe to do squats with such a knee.
Please help;

steven

03 Jan 2012, 00:08

i am 64 years old, weight train 4 to 5 days a week, used to train when younger , started again 6 years ago, have very little back pain after having chronic back pain, arthritis in 2 joints, no pain, most people think i am in low 50 years, great, not bragging but sounds and feels great, i actually do power lifting , a lot of weight, chiropractor says to keep coming oce amonth to his office keep on weight training, willing to help anyone, ex, wight trainer which helped me, dont ever give up and say that nothing can be done about pain

mr man

30 Dec 2011, 15:42

I am 30 years old and i have been training with light weights for many years and found it very good in keeping my knee stron and stable. I had a very bad episode with my arthritis when i changed from light endurance style squating to heavy duty power lifting,i was bed bound for 7 months with swollen knees. Lift weights people but keep it light, i stick to 3-5 sets of 50-100 reps. Go for the burn its good for the joints. Reduce your body weight to its ideal place.

alan

20 Dec 2011, 09:32

I am 72 years old .have quite a bit of o/a and had 2 bypass ops.
I no longer want to sit about getting worse.
I have in my youger days done a lot of weight training and feel i would like to start a light exercise program.
Am i being silly or is it not a bad idea?
Alan.

EPHRAIM

20 Aug 2011, 00:36

I AM 30 YEARS OLD, AND I AM SERIOUSLY SUFFERING FOR RS, AND I ADVICE ON HOW TO HANDLE IT SO THAT THE PAINS WILL REDUCE, AND ALSO HELP FOR THIS, BECAUSE I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO NOW

Anja

12 Jul 2011, 10:25

Have been living with RA since 1997, gained a ton of weight from meds and started gym again 2 years ago. Prior to RA I was a runner and weight lifting kinda gal! I love going, lost a lot of weight and have no issues! At times my knee bothers me but I rest a little more and I'm fine! My RA is very well controlled, no flares, mild pain no and again but.... I an deal with it!
After seeing my Doctor, whom I love, I was told to stop! That it was the worst thing for me and I would aggravate my RA!
Having read up online it seems that's not true?! Anyone out there with advise? Others working out with weights? I was going 5-6 days a week, will cut back to 3-4 in order to give me body rest time but I'd hate to stop all together!!

Candace Grasso

10 May 2011, 10:31

Try my youTube exercise tutorial for a short range of motion and resistance exercise program . I won a fitness corporation and worked with the Arthritis Foundation for 5 years for which I received the award for Outstanding Achievement for my work, I am a pro athlete diagnosed 3 years ago with Fibromyalgia after I broke my neck in a severe car accident.
I was the marathon coach for the charity Arthritis Foundations marathon teams called Joints in Motion!
we took teams all over the world raising hundreds of thousands of dollars for research....
But it is never enough. London, Dublin, Hawaii....where ever the teams went....I said YES! It gave me a true heart for those who suffer from this devastating disease. Now my cousin Sherri is afflicted!! SO I decided to post a short video to get you started . ASK YOUR DOCTOR and never do these two days in a row. Gentle walking is also GREAT.....and I have very inexpensive walking downloads ..specifically walk fit volume one would be a good try.
No matter what.....I wanted to help. If this gives you some relief PLEASE BE KIND ENOUGH TO LET ME KNOW....
Blessings,
Candace Grasso
Www.fitisitcardio.com

irshad

17 Feb 2011, 06:01

I would like to see

Iftikhar Alam

12 Dec 2010, 23:35

This is with reference to Mr. Onabanjo,Olantunde dated 09Dec2010.
I intend not only to help him out rather, share with all those who have same or kind of pain.I have a HERBAL FORMULA with me which is very simple to prepare in home, which will subside all kind of pains but regular moderate exercise are recommended.To make one jar of simple but, affective herbal medicine the INGREDIENTS are:
1.Fresh leaves of green Peppermint:200 gm
2.Fresh ginger: 200 gm
3.Dry seeded pomegranate: 200 gm
4.Pure grape vinegar:3 table spoon
Preparation:Grind all ingredients well, preferably on stone grinder, until it mix completely in shape of thick jam, add 3 table spoon of vinegar & mix it well.Store that herbal product in air tight glass jar in refrigerator. Use one tea spoon of product five times a day. After 15 days of use, decrease intake from five to four times and subsequently after 15 days four to three table spoon.Those who have faith in GOD shall be astonished with the results.Carry on the therapy for 3 months. Kind Regards.

Onabanjo, Olatunde

09 Dec 2010, 09:37

Hi, I am 47yrs, Civil Engineer, with a Geotechnical Engineering Firm in my country. I 've a Challenge with my leg from the Hip downward,since i'm a left handed person and always on my legs while on site.
I complained to my medical consultant and got placed on some medications such as Neurofen tabs, Ibupain killer, Voltaren and of late been on Advance Joint Care Glucosamine plus Omega-3 and Chondroitin Capsules.
The peak of it is, Whenever, I am on my legs for about an hour while on site, it is like my left leg becomes dead and painful, until I move around the site.
What can I do, please help.

maureen

08 Dec 2010, 02:47

Thanks alot for this kind of information. it is so useful to me.
May i also know how to reduce the size of my stomach it is realy big.

Maureen

Janet Otachi

09 Nov 2010, 03:21

Hi,I used to engage in hard physical exercises such as running and aerobics a year ago and was okay.Since I stopped I began experiencing alot of pain in both knees,there is no swelling though.Its sometimes so severe that i have to sit down with my legs straight and elevated for some relief.I went to hospital and an x-ray of both the unkle and the knee joints were taken.the doctor told me that they were very normal.Occassionally when I wake up from my sitting position i experience cracking sounds from the joints.Is it lack of sinovial fluid in the joints?please advice.Janet.

adrienne

07 Nov 2010, 09:12

DOES ANYONE NOTICE THAT CERTAIN FOODS AFFECT
YOUR RH. I ALSO HAVE FIBROMYLSIA @ MYMOTOSIS OF THE MUSCLES.
I NOTICE DIARY SWEETS ACIDIC FOODS MAKE MY
JOINTS SWELL PAINFUL TIRED WEAK LIGHT
HEADED THAT I FEEL STUPID @ OFF BALANCE
FROM EATING SOME COOKIES THAT WERE DIARY
DURING A TIME OF FAMILY HARD TIMES I ATE SO
MANY COOKIES IN ONE SITING THAT RIGHT IN FRONT OF ME MY TWO FINGERS ON MY RIGHT HAND JUST DROPED RIGHT DOWN THE PINKIE @ THE ONE NEXT TO IT.
@ I LOST STRENGTH IN MY LOWER BACK TO GET MYSELF UP ITS DIFFICULT LIKE SITTING ON A CHAIR GETTING UP FROM THE TOILET SEAT
ITS HORRIBLE I CAN'T I HAVE TO PUT MY ELBOW ON THE BACK OF THE TANK @ PRY MYSELF UP LIKE A JACK HAMMER. WHAT LOW PACT EXCERCISES I CAN DO.

PLEASE HELP ME

roselito diolata

05 Oct 2010, 02:20

hi, am 45 yrs. old, sometimes my knees are in pain, what should i do, is this an arthritis? what food/ exercise should i take?

Marta

29 Sep 2010, 16:39

I have just been told by my family doctor that Im having symptoms of a mild arthritis on my knees. Now i love weight training and now im worrie. Can I still keep weight training?

ramakrishnareddy.mallu

14 Sep 2010, 11:44

iam 64years old and retired from govt service five years back.since two to three years iam sufering with joint pains mainly at all joints of fingers and hands and even ankles now and then.further iam to inform you that iam a diabetic with just above normal value sand iam using tablets morning and evening.
Please suggest me what type of exercises i should fallow .

Paul C

25 Aug 2010, 09:15

im 33 and i have just been diagnosed with seronegative artritis and i have been put on methotraxate, up to now i have been weight lifting and i thought i would have had to stop training as it would damage my joints, im so glad ive come across this page :-D thank you very much. Paul

Bobby

05 Aug 2010, 09:05

I was diagnosed with RA when I was in my mid 30's, The combination of martial arts, running and varies sports in my life also left me with damage joints. I will be 50 soon and with weight lifting in my weekly routine I am able to function like a normal person. I am not on any medication but occasionaly tylenol or IBU's. I have a personal gym in my home that consists of a Soloflex gym system which can be used with bands or old fashions weighs. With Soloflex, I am able to push my strength with out a spotter. I believe that weight lifting is the only reason why I am not stuck in a chair stiff as a board.

juliet singh

11 Jul 2010, 13:13

thanks for helping

Ken

31 May 2010, 03:47

Anyone interested in joining my Yahoo group "Rheumatoid Arthritis and Weight Training., please do!

Ken

25 Apr 2010, 09:58

I was diagnosed with a pretty significant case of RA four years ago. I couldn't open the toothpaste without help from my kids! I'm currently on Enbrel, methotrexate, and plaquenil.
I was weight training before my diagnosis and still continue to train. With a mixture of strength, flexibility, aerobic training and eating a well balanced diet, my once debilitating condition is under control and I continue to lead a very active lifestyle.
Anyone considering picking up the weights should consult a doctor (your family Doc as well as the Rheumatologist), especially those of us over 40! Read, read, read and read some more on how to properly weight train. There's lots of info on the web. Women! You're chemistry will not allow you to get bulky weight training, so don't hesitate to pick up the weights.

thanks!

Calvin Schaub

02 Mar 2010, 10:04

I'm 68 years old and have suffered with RA since I was 45 and am currently being treated with remicade and methotrexate. Two years ago, at my doctors suggestion, I began a weight lifting program and have lost 60 pounds. What is remarkable is that I am now pain free, no flare ups, and am stronger than most of the younger guys in the gym. I do 200lb seated rows, 675lb leg press, 95lb barbell curl 100lb tricep press and 195lb bench press. Most importantly, I no longer have to depend on others to help me lift or carry things. I have no doubt that without weight training i would soon end up in a wheelchair.

Frank

15 Feb 2010, 18:09

I have psoriatic arthritis and recieve Remicade treatments every 8 weeks. Two months ago I began a weight training program, I let the time between my treatments go for 12 weeks without any soreness or stiffness in my joints.I'm hoping that weight training may be a natural alternative to chemical treatments.

Ros

15 Jan 2010, 04:58

as someone who did yoga and was very flexible, i thought RA had left me the shape of a static rock forever!

very light weights seem to gently squeeze my joints into the places they used to go normally on their on, and i have less pain and less flare-ups. definitely continuing with my regime!

jeanne

02 Dec 2009, 14:39

Up until a year ago, I was able to use 8 lbs dumbells, then I had to go down to 5 and now 3. Even using the 3 lbs weight give me incredible pain in my shoulders, bicep area. Any suggestions? Thanks!

Marie

11 Nov 2009, 01:38

I first developed signs of rheumatoid arthritis several months ago. I began a walking program and experienced some improvement. I recently started a strength training program in addition to aerobic exercise and have experienced marked improvement. I have been referred to a rheumatologist and have an appointment in about 6 weeks, but currently am having no symptoms! It may be a coincidence, but at the very least, it certainly did not aggravate my symptoms in any way.

barbara

02 Oct 2009, 00:28

Love your site. Is there anything I can do to help YOU? I have been telling my friends to visit your site. Thanks to you, the information was unavailable. Now I am getting action. I can. Just let me know. Blessings and good wishes to all of you!! You are doing a tremendous service!
Barbara
[url=http://www.trainwithmeonline.com]weight training[/url]

barbara

02 Oct 2009, 00:26

Love your site. Is there anything I can do to help YOU? I have been telling my friends to visit your site. Thanks to you, the information was unavailable. Now I am getting action. I can. Just let me know. Blessings and good wishes to all of you!! You are doing a tremendous service!
Barbara
<a href="http://www.trainwithmeonline.com">weight training</a>

Terrence

01 Oct 2009, 03:22

Nice thought as well as nice article.
Terrence
<a href="http://www.trainwithmeonline.com">weight training</a>

bruce

19 Sep 2009, 08:07

I don't have the discipline to lift weights but have found that playing golf a couple of times a week and going to the driving range keep me feeling much better. Golf rotates all of my joints that ache, mainly my wrists, elbows and ankles.

vanita

29 Aug 2009, 13:08

I have been referred to a RA doctor. I am experiencing joint pain and stiffness. Should I wait to see the doctor before begginning a weight training program?

Paul

25 Jun 2009, 22:17

I recently started lifting weights four to five days a week just to get in shape. Since I've noticed that my RA hasn't bothered me not even relatively close to what it used before I started to lift, only on occasion when I try lifting too much weight.

Joanne

24 Jun 2009, 11:14

I would like to start an "at-home" weight lifting program for they RA. Does anyone know a good source on how to start?

Thanks!!!!

sandy

21 Apr 2009, 06:58

This information has confirmed why I feel better... after finding out I have RA, I began to train with weights, I feel better, and stronger, but was concerned I would make the condition worse.

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How Weight Lifting Can Help Rheumatoid Arthritis

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