Rheumatism is a chronic self-immunological disease, manifested mainly in joint pain, swelling, rigidity and limited functioning. Physical therapy is an important component of the integrated treatment of rheumatism, which helps to improve joint function, reduce pain, increase muscle strength, improve body resilience and improve quality of life. The following are some of the sports therapy for people with rheumatism:
Joint activity training
Purpose: To maintain and increase the scope of joint activities to prevent joint contraction and rigidity.
The method of training stretches: For the finger joints, the fist can be held slowly and then stretched straight, with each action remaining 3-5 seconds, repeating 10-15 times as a group, with 3-4 groups per day. For knee joints, they can sit by the bedside or chair, and the calves naturally fall down, and then slowly lift up the calf, reaching as far as possible, and slowly down, again and again.
Rotation: like a wrist joint, you can put your arm down on the table, hand down, and then slowly rotate your wrists, with a clockwise and a counterclockwise rotation of 10-15 circles each, 3-4 groups per day. For hips, you can lie on your bed, stretch your legs straight, then slowly rotate your legs inside and outside, and feel the hips rotate.
Extending exercise: For the spinal joints, you can lie on your bed, knees on your knees, and then lift your hands up to the upper half, stretch your spine as far as you can, hold on 5-10 seconds, repeat 5-10 times. It can also stand, stretch its hands up, bend its body to the left or to the right and stretch its muscles on the side of the spine.
Muscle force training
Purpose: To increase muscle power around joints, to better stabilize joints and to reduce their burden.
Long-duration training such as training methods: without causing joint activity, the muscles are constricted and the tension is maintained. For example, for knee joints, it is possible to sit on the chair, stretch the knee joint and tighten the muscles in front of the thighs, maintain 5-10 seconds, and then relax, repeat 10-15 times into a group of 3-4 groups per day. For upper limb joints, hand-held bells or other heavy objects, maintaining arms-strangling or bending positions, and long contraction training in muscles, etc.
Resistance training: training in resistance using devices such as bullet belts or small weight dulls. (b) For example, by placing a bullet belt on an ankle, by carrying out a stretch resistance to the ankle, or by holding a dumb bell for training in the stretching, rotation, etc. of the wrist. Select the appropriate number of resistances and trainings according to your own circumstances, usually 10-15 per group, 3-4 groups per day.
Training in daily life activities: the integration of muscle force training into daily life, such as wearing their own clothes, washing, eating, and so on, and carrying out these activities as independently as possible, increasing muscle strength and joint flexibility through daily activities.
Aerobics.
Aims: To improve CPR function, to enhance physical resilience and to improve overall health.
Training methods for walking: This is a simple, safe and aerobic exercise for most rheumatism patients. A walk of 30 to 60 minutes per day can be carried out at a rate appropriate to the circumstances of the situation, so as not to cause joint pain and fatigue. The choice is to walk on flat roads or parks, to breathe fresh air and to relax.
Swimming: Swimming is less stressful on joints, and can exercise all the muscles. Patients of rheumatism have the option of swimming in a hot-water swimming pool 2-3 times a week for 30-45 minutes each. All kinds of swimming positions are available, such as free swimming and frog swimming, but care is taken to avoid excessive fatigue and injury.
Bicycling: Bicycling is also a good aerobic exercise, with the option of outdoor riding or indoor bicycles. If the joint pain is more evident, the seat height and handle position of the bicycle can be adjusted to reduce the joint pressure. 30-60 minutes per ride, 3-4 times per week.
Attention
Select the right time: The exercise should be carried out during the palliative period, avoiding excessive movement during the acute period of joint pain, swelling and inflammation, and avoiding the exacerbation of joint damage.
Moderate exercise: gradually increase the strength and time of the exercise in accordance with their physical condition and joint function, and avoid excessive fatigue and intense exercise. In the event of pain or discomfort during the exercise, the exercise should be stopped immediately and the advice of a doctor or rehabilitation therapist should be consulted.
Warming and relaxing: 5-10 minutes of warm-up before exercise, such as joint activity training, slow-walking, and so forth, allow for full preheating of joints and muscles and reduce the risk of motor damage. After the exercise, 5-10 minutes of relaxing activities, such as deep breath, stretching, etc., help to alleviate muscle fatigue.
Maintaining long-term sports: Physical therapy requires long-term adherence to achieve good results, and patients should develop a habit of regular sports and integrate sports into everyday life.
