Is Gardening Good For Arthritis?

For people suffering from arthritis it is essential to keep their joints and muscles active. Various studies conclude that exercising and keeping fit helps patients of arthritis, by reducing their joint pains, increasing their muscle strength, flexibility, cardiac fitness and imparting a general sense of well being. A simple activity such as gardening is also beneficial as the joints are exercised.

In people where pain is severe, weight training and endurance exercises such as bicycling seem impossible, similar activities such as jogging, walking, playing golf and even gardening are recommended. In cases of sever pain, water exercise programs are recommended as the body's buoyancy in water reduces the stress on hips and knees. One should always consult a trained physical therapist prior to starting any training program. An occupational therapist will be the right person to guide you as to how not to strain joints while performing daily activities such as gardening.