Spotlight on: Osteoarthritis and exercise

Fiona from Back In Motion Brighton in South Australia discusses Osteoarthritis and how low impact exercise can help.

Osteoarthritis is a condition that affects the joints, particularly the cartilage and underlying bone. There is no one particular cause, but obesity, past trauma and occupation can be risk factors for its development.  It is more common in older adults (65 yrs+) and typically seen in hips and knees.

How is Osteoarthritis treated? 

There are a number of treatments out there advertising to cure arthritis, however there is no known cure. But there are lots of ways that you can manage the symptoms and pain and continue doing the things you love!

In the short term, pain can be managed quite effectively through physiotherapy, ice or heat packs and medication from your doctor .

For the long term however and to help prevent your condition worsening, regular exercise is so important, together with addressing any risk factors you may have. 

Why is exercise important for people with Osteoarthritis?

Regular exercise can help to improve mobility and flexibility of joints, strengthen muscles and joint support and improve posture and balance therefore leading to a decrease in pain and improved mobility, fitness and overall quality of life.

Low impact exercise is typically most comfortable for people with arthritis – this includes Clinical Exercise, hydrotherapy (or water exercise), and walking. It is important you begin any exercise plan with the help of a physiotherapist or qualified professional.

The right intensity and duration of exercise is important for success and it may even be harmful to joints if the exercise is too high impact. Overall a holistic approach to management is required and different for everybody, so give your local Back In Motion practice a call to get your plan started today.

Fiona Burford – Physiotherapist at Back In Motion Brighton

Fiona moved from country Balaklava to the city enrolling in the University of South Australia's Bachelor of Physiotherapy in order to pursue her passion for helping others. Not knowing quite what to expect, she managed to get lost in Big Old Adelaide several times but eventually fell in love with the lifestyle and especially the career she had chosen.  After graduating in 2013 she started at Back In Motion Brighton and has a keen interest in treating cervicogenic headaches and shoulder problems.

She also has a particular love of resistance training and Clinical Exercise, completing both a powerlifting coaches course in 2014 and Clinical Exercise Level 1 in 2016. Outside of work, Fiona loves spending time with family and friends, going on adventures, drinking wine and spending some quality snuggle time with the family dog Chas!