Exercising is probably the last thing you want to do when you’re in pain, but it can actually help improve your symptoms in the long run.
“People with arthritis should continue exercising as much as possible. Regular exercise is essential as it helps to strengthen the muscles that protect and support the joints. Keeping active has even been proven to help reduce the pain of arthritis and improve function,” says Wendy.
“It is normal to sometimes feel a little sore or uncomfortable after exercise, especially if it is something you haven’t done for a while, but it is important to remember that this does not mean that you are harming your joints. Osteoarthritis is not caused by too much exercise, and hard work does not damage the joints,” she adds.
While it’s perfectly natural and often a good thing to ‘feel the burn’ when you’re working out, pain doesn’t mean gain and can be quite dangerous. You should take a break if you feel a sharp pain, feel dizzy or nauseous, or if you think you have injured yourself in any way.