The key, as I’m sure you probably know: Getting ourselves to do it anyway. Research shows that regular exercise helps to reduce the chronic inflammation associated with arthritis and can even increase your pain tolerance. Exercise also strengthens the muscles around the joint and increases blood flow to the joint, two things that can minimize discomfort, says Nathan Wei, MD, a rheumatologist in Frederick, MD. It also increases the production of endorphins, which can further reduce pain (not to mention put you in a better frame of mind to handle it). If you’re thinking, “Seriously? Have you been in my body lately?? It hurts!” I hear you. Getting started when your body sounds and feels like the Tin Man is far from easy. But making a few simple changes to your exercise routine can mean the difference between a pain-free workout and one that hurts. Here are 11 tweaks and tricks that can make staying active when you’re hurting so much easier.
