Osteoarthritis
There are over 100 different types of arthritis however osteoarthritis is the most common, affecting approximately 1 in 10 Canadians! Cartilage acts as a cushion between bones and in osteoarthritis, some cartilage has degraded to the point that the affected joints no longer function smoothly. Hand and weight-bearing joints including the spine, hips, and knees are most commonly affected but other joints can be involved too.
The good news is there are a number of different strategies for treating osteoarthritis to slow the progression of the disease and reduce the potential for future disability. These include lifestyle interventions, exercise, and medications but most importantly, exercise!
Evidence suggests that weight loss and daily exercise is not only important before you reach for medications but is also effective in reducing the symptoms and slowing the progression of osteoarthritis.
It can be hard to get started with an exercise program, especially if you already have significant joint pain, but using ice/heat or a pain reliever 30 minutes prior to exercise can ease the transition. At Liberation Fitness we have some of the most innovative non-weight bearing equipment that “saves” further joint degradation. We take a holistic approach, to assist you in making dietary modifications, lifestyle improvements, and guiding you in clinically supervised exercise programs to achieve and maintain a healthy body weight and fitness level.
