I get pretty ticked when I see stupid magazine and website writers promoting exercise for 'people with RA'. All RA sufferers are different. I'm sure with mild RA with a few bad joints, it can usually be a positive experience. But not all of us are so lucky. Do you have moderate to severe RA and taken the advice from these writers pretending to know what they're talking about? Done permanent damage because of it? I think that's good grounds to sue. Surprised it hasn't been done yet.

I agree with those that said stretching is helpful, while my RA is still bad, I find stretching when I get up (when I can) seems to help reduce the length of my morning stiffness - which can last as long as 6-7 hrs on one of my bad days. I previously said I do light yoga. To clarify - I do what I can along with yoga videos, while muting the dialogue that annoys me (which is most of it) "Keep stretching - harder harder! Push yourself!" NOT good...

There's a really good article on RA warrior about this here:
http://rawarrior.com/should-rheumatoid-arthritis-patients-exercise/

I get pretty ticked when I see stupid magazine and website writers promoting exercise for 'people with RA'. All RA sufferers are different. I'm sure with mild RA with a few bad joints, it can usually be a positive experience. But not all of us are so lucky. Do you have moderate to severe RA and taken the advice from these writers pretending to know what they're talking about? Done permanent damage because of it? I think that's good grounds to sue. Surprised it hasn't been done yet.

I agree with those that said stretching is helpful, while my RA is still bad, I find stretching when I get up (when I can) seems to help reduce the length of my morning stiffness - which can last as long as 6-7 hrs on one of my bad days. I previously said I do light yoga. To clarify - I do what I can along with yoga videos, while muting the dialogue that annoys me (which is most of it) "Keep stretching - harder harder! Push yourself!" NOT good...

There's a really good article on RA warrior about this here:
http://rawarrior.com/should-rheumatoid-arthritis-patients-exercise/

Holy cow, site lag again! ;)

I get pretty ticked when I see stupid magazine and website writers promoting exercise for 'people with RA'. All RA sufferers are different. I'm sure with mild RA with a few bad joints, it can usually be a positive experience. But not all of us are so lucky. Do you have moderate to severe RA and taken the advice from these writers pretending to know what they're talking about? Done permanent damage because of it? I think that's good grounds to sue. Surprised it hasn't been done yet.

I agree with those that said stretching is helpful, while my RA is still bad, I find stretching when I get up (when I can) seems to help reduce the length of my morning stiffness - which can last as long as 6-7 hrs on one of my bad days. I previously said I do light yoga. To clarify - I do what I can along with yoga videos, while muting the dialogue that annoys me (which is most of it) "Keep stretching - harder harder! Push yourself!" NOT good...

There's a really good article on RA warrior about this here:
http://rawarrior.com/should-rheumatoid-arthritis-patients-exercise/

Holy cow, site lag again! ;)

I get pretty ticked when I see stupid magazine and website writers promoting exercise for 'people with RA'. All RA sufferers are different. I'm sure with mild RA with a few bad joints, it can usually be a positive experience. But not all of us are so lucky. Do you have moderate to severe RA and taken the advice from these writers pretending to know what they're talking about? Done permanent damage because of it? I think that's good grounds to sue. Surprised it hasn't been done yet.

I agree with those that said stretching is helpful, while my RA is still bad, I find stretching when I get up (when I can) seems to help reduce the length of my morning stiffness - which can last as long as 6-7 hrs on one of my bad days. I previously said I do light yoga. To clarify - I do what I can along with yoga videos, while muting the dialogue that annoys me (which is most of it) "Keep stretching - harder harder! Push yourself!" NOT good...

There's a really good article on RA warrior about this here:
http://rawarrior.com/should-rheumatoid-arthritis-patients-exercise/

Holy cow, site lag again! ;)

Holy cow, site lag again! ;)

Holy cow, site lag again! ;)

Thanks episteme!

That is exactly how I feel when I am asked by well-meaning people why I don't go to the YMCA anymore. I have been a life-long exerciser; walked 2 - 3 miles per day, lifted weights, etc. but after back surgery #2 and the RA diagnosis, I have not walked for exercise nor worked out for at least the past year. Trying to explain how I feel, why I have not been able to work out, etc. gets very trying to say the least!

Thanks again for sharing the article and website. It will go into my 'favorites'! :)

Does anyone have a good video featuring yoga, aerobics, stretching, or other exercises that they would recommend that are good for those with RA?

i love to exercise. but i cant do it anymore. walking is difficult too. sitting (chair) exercises are great. they help me a lot. so thats what i stick to, but only on the days i feel good. i dont exercise when i am in pain. if i be lazy without moving, i get stiff and its terrible. so eventho i dont exercise some days i just keep on moving. exercising everyday is not possible for me with my 2yrs old. but i continously move so i dont feel stiff. when in pain, aleve helps me.

@Melissa:
I like the trunk exercises below.. usually I'll do them sitting in a chair or at the end of my bed: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ywuRZlkPJSU

My favorite is called, "Healing Yoga: For Aches and Pains" They had it on Netflix but removed it from streaming recently. I've been thinking about buying it on Amazon, but if you have Netflix you can still order the dvd. I've seen it so many times I can remember most of them, but I find when I'm watching, I take my time and am more thorough.

There are tons on youtube, I usually just search for 'yoga arthritis'. The range of motion videos are helpful as well, once you learn them you can do them anytime. I've read from a lot of people here who have lost range of motion and wish they would have known and done the exercises, which convinced me to try my best to stay on top of it. Don't know where I'd be without all the people sharing here!!

Amen, episteme, amen! :)

At first my rheumy told me NOT to exercise (I was trying to) because it caused inflammation every time. He said it was doing more harm than good. As I got some moderate help from my current meds, he said in the pool ONLY. So I try to get there every other day for about an hour. I can't actually swim (knees can't kick), but I do lots of water exercise, including upper body work because my arms and shoulders still work.
Too much standing or walking, sometimes even a trip to the store, can just do me in.