Pushing through the pain
Researchers tell arthritis sufferers exercise lessens stiffness
Researchers tell Shawnee arthritis sufferers exercise lessens stiffness

By Jeff Raymond

Published: June 18, 2008

SHAWNEE — Exercise may be the best medicine for arthritis.

Forcing yourself to move body parts that hurt sounds counterintuitive, maybe even reckless, but researchers have found that pushing sore joints can help lessen the inflammation, stiffness and pain of arthritis.

It also promotes weight loss and its associated health benefits.

"We all continue to fight the myth that people with arthritis can't exercise, when in fact we know that it is beneficial for managing disease symptoms, reducing pain and also can be preventive for some types of arthritis, like osteoarthritis,” said Shona Lennon, program director for the state chapter of the Arthritis Foundation.

Forty-four percent of adults with doctor-diagnosed arthritis reported no leisure-time physical activity in 2002, compared with 36 percent of adults without arthritis, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

That same year, 6 million adults with arthritis reported they had difficulty walking, and almost 8 million reported having trouble stooping or bending over.

Members of Shelly Webb's Enhance Fitness class at the Shawnee Senior Center are kicking, stretching and lifting ankle weights.

Sharon Dickenson, 71, not long ago couldn't step over a curb without support. Now she can do so fearlessly.

Doris Quisenberry has always kept in shape, which she credits for keeping her alive after a 2001 heart attack. Quisenberry recruited friends to the program when they saw her agility.

"I got up without grunting and they got up and grunted, so they started the next time and they've been coming regular ever since I got out of the chair OK,” she said.

The class, with an age range of 60 to 99, meets three times a week. Each class includes strength training, aerobics, and balance and flexibility drills.

"We've had people lose significant amounts of weight — 30 pounds or more. We've had people come off their blood pressure medications, decrease their sugar levels if they're diabetic. ... They're just more agile,” Webb said.

The state Health Department and Arthritis Foundation sponsor exercise programs such as the Shawnee class.

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