Joint pain, joint swelling, early morning stiffness, warmth around a joint, redness of the skin around a joint and reduced ability to move the joint are all symptoms of arthritis, which is basically defined as inflammation of one or more joints. Joint inflammation is a body's normal reaction to damage or the presence of a foreign agent in that area, and is seen frequently when there is an injury to a joint or the presence of a virus or bacteria. Most of the time inflammation goes away after the injury has healed or the virus or bacteria has been wiped out by the immune system. However in some cases this does not happen, and the result is arthritis.
Women are especially vulnerable.
Recommended by Arthritis Care , which is the national organisation supporting action by people with arthritis, this programme presents a series of simple exercises which can help improve fitness and wellbeing, reduce pain and stiffness, and increase mobility. It has been created by Valerie Sayce, a successful physiotherapist who specialises in the development, training and supervision of exercise programmes, especially for arthritis sufferers. You can learn how to build activity into your everyday life with your own regular programme enabling you to relax, release built up tension and calm your mind. An effective, gentle and fun exercise system for all ages. It is recommended that users consult their medical pracitioner before starting.