Sponsored Ads
A New Free Report - What Is Lupus?
This fascinating new report from UK-based publishing house Health Research Today answers some of the most-asked questions about this baffling disease :
- What is the medical definition of lupus?
- What are the symptoms of lupus?
- What tests are there for lupus? How do you get a diagnosis?
Fill in this form and we will send you the report immediately, which you are welcome to send on to friends or family!
Treating Lupus With Exercise
This article is an extract from the ebook Freedom From Lupus!
Hydrotherapy
Hydrotherapy is the use of water in treating disease. It involves using things like hot baths, saunas, and wraps to treat various ailments. Sometimes it is referred to as hydrothermal activity due to the involvement of both water and heat. It is based on using the body’s reaction to hot and cold stimuli in order to promote the body’s natural healing power, influence the production of stress hormones, improve circulation, improve digestion, and decrease pain. By using heat in hydrotherapy, the body is soothed. This decreases internal organ activity and relieves the tension in muscles.
When the body is submerged in water the body is relieved from the pull of gravity. Also there is a hydrostatic effect as the water gently kneads the body like a massage. Touch receptors on the skin are stimulated which boosts blood circulation and the release of tight muscles. The most commonly used hydrotherapy techniques involve baths, showers, sitz baths, contrast sitz baths, foot baths, cold mitten rub, steam inhalation, hot and cold compresses, body wraps, wet sheet packs, and salt glows.
A recent study from the University of Minnesota studied 40 participants and the effects of hydrotherapy. Of the 40 participants, 85 percent preferred the whirlpool bath to a still bath. They reported a decrease in stress when in the whirlpool bath, though both elicited a relief from anxiety.16
There are some circumstances in which hydrotherapy is not appropriate. For instance, if you have diabetes doing any hot applications to the feet legs or full-body heating application should be avoided. Patients with Raynaud’s disease should avoid cold applications. Hot immersion baths need to be avoided by people with diabetes, multiple sclerosis, pregnant women, and those with high or low blood pressure. Patients with bladder or rectal irritation, sciatica, pelvic inflammation or rheumatism in the toes or ankles should avoid cold footbaths.
Also, all patients should be careful about the length they are exposed to heat, as it can cause detrimental and dangerous effects. Due to some of these complications, hydrotherapy should be closely discussed with your physician. In most cases, the therapy can be very beneficial to patients experiencing discomfort or pain.
Weight Training
Range of motion and strengthening exercises are important for lupus patients. Range of motion exercises help to improve the flexibility of joints and the surrounding muscles. Using range of motion exercises will create better posture and decrease the chance of injury. Many patients that have arthritic symptoms do range of motion exercises on a daily basis to decrease joint stiffness experienced each morning. Each stretch is to be held for 30 seconds. Many patients see a physical therapist to help them improve their range of motion.
However, other patients benefit from strengthening exercises involved in weight training. They are more vigorous than range of motion exercises and often include weights or weight machinery. This type of training is anaerobic, meaning is does not stimulate the body like aerobic exercise, instead strengthening muscles and other connective tissues around joints. That strength provides better support of the joint and reduces impact through the painful joint. This type of exercise also reduces bone loss and some inflammatory disorders. By decreasing inflammation it can reduce a patient’s dependency on medications like corticosteroids.
In elderly individuals, strength training can help to decrease slips and falls due to an improvement in balance and flexibility. In people battling diabetes and lupus, patients experience greater glucose control when following a strength-training program. People also sleep better when they exercise regularly.
Exercise involving weight training usually involves doing one to three sets of 8 to 10 repetitions using a specific tool of resistance like a weight or band. Many patients start off with less weight and more repetitions. The weight should pose just enough resistance to challenge the muscle, but it should not cause joint pain. Also movement should be smooth. If a patient uses jerky motions, there is probably too much resistance, and it can cause further injury. As the patient continues to exercise, weight resistance can gradually be increased comfortably.
Before starting any range of motion or weight training program you should consult with your physician. Due to certain types of inflammation, your doctor may put some limitations on the types of exercises you can do.
Read the rest of this article in Freedom From Lupus!
© Health Research Today
