Approximately 1.5 million Americans suffer from rheumatoid arthritis. Women are three times more likely to have this disease than men and symptoms usually start between the ages of 30 and 60. If you or a loved one suffers from this painful disease, keep reading to discover the one rheumatoid arthritis hand exercise that will change your life for the better.

What Is Rheumatoid Arthritis?

Rheumatoid arthritis is a painful autoimmune disease that happens when your body’s immune system attacks the joints. A healthy immune system protects you from foreign substances, such as bacteria and viruses. When your immune system attacks your body instead of protecting it, severe inflammation occurs.

This causes the tissue lining your joints, known as the synovium, to thicken. The final result is severe swelling and extreme pain. When left unchecked, rheumatoid arthritis, or RA, can damage your cartilage and bones.

What Can I Do About Rheumatoid Arthritis?

There’s no one-size-fits-all treatment plan for seniors with rheumatoid arthritis. Doctors often recommend medication to manage the pain, lifestyle changes to slow the progression of the condition, and physical therapy to mitigate the effects of the symptoms.

Medical Treatment

Most doctors recommend oral analgesics, and particularly NSAIDs. You can get a prescription for these or purchase them over the counter. If the RA is in your hands, your doctor may also recommend a splint to support your affected hand or hands. If the RA is in your foot, your doctor may recommend steroid injections into the affected joints. If these measures don’t work, surgery to repair the damaged joint may be right for you.

Lifestyle Changes

Simple lifestyle changes can go a long way in protecting your hand and wrist joints. When you sleep, your wrists and hands don’t normally move much. As a result, you probably wake up with stiffness or soreness in the morning. Taking a warm shower or wearing a warm compress when you wake up can keep your wrists limber and alleviate pain.

The Best Rheumatoid Arthritis Hand Exercise

With your knuckles straight, place your hands on a table in front of you. Gently and slowly spread your fingers apart. Stop when your joints start to feel uncomfortable. Your hands should look like an open fan. Hold this position for five seconds. Next, make a fist. Hold this position for five seconds. Performing this exercise twice daily will improve mobility. In turn, this flexibility will increase strength and alleviate pain and stiffness.

Rheumatoid Arthritis Exercises to Avoid

It’s common to hear suggestions to increase the intensity of hand exercises by squeezing a small medicine ball. However, this is not ideal for rheumatoid arthritis. Squeezing tightly causes significant stress to the joints. This increases pain while reducing mobility.

Pain During Exercise Is Never Okay

There is only one hard and fast rule when it comes rheumatoid arthritis hand exercises: never stretch your joints to the point that they hurt. If you experience any pain, stop the exercise immediately. Once the pain recedes, you can try again slower or with less intensity. If you take the exercise slower at a reduced intensity, but the pain returns, talk to your physical therapist or primary care physician. This may be a sign of a dislocated joint or other condition.

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We hope the single most effective rheumatoid arthritis hand exercise changes your life for the better. Remember, with discipline, consistency and patience, you can alleviate your pain and improve your range of motion. Would you like more helpful tips on how to remain fit as a fiddle? Sign up for an account with Senior Health & Lifestyle News today, and we’ll send life-changing content straight to your inbox.