Exercise your way to joint health

If the health benefits of exercise could be put in a pill, you would have perhaps the most powerful anti-aging medicine available. Regular physical activity supports virtually every system in your body, from your bones and muscles to your heart and cardiovascular system. Exercise also improves immune function, aids digestion and elimination, increases endurance and energy, and enhances mood. What's more, for every hour of exercise, there is a two-hour increase in longevity.

The last thing you may want to do with an aching joint is exercise it. But a vast body of research clearly shows that exercise is extremely effective in restoring function, movement, and flexibility. People with aching or stiff joints who regularly exercise make significant gains in flexibility and mobility as well as their ability to function.

If you've been inactive for awhile or you're over 45, I recommend seeing your doctor or therapist so that your functional status can be assessed and a tailored program based on your current clinical status can be initiated. This evaluation should include a graded exercise stress test as well as joint mobility testing.