Arthritis is an extremely common condition of inflammation of the joints causing joint pain and stiffness, which usually worsens with age.
Ever wondered if there could be a fun way of just letting go of that pain? Or just wanted to be done with your unappealing daily exercises and enjoy instead ? Or even just felt bored of those tiresome exercise routines and wanted to feel young and flexible again? Or just wanted to feel functional and independent without it feeling like too much hard work?
Dance can be the answer to all your questions and rejuvenate your spirit to fight the pain and feel better.
Why Dancing:
- Dancing with arthritis will not just encourage you but keep you motivated throughout to enjoy high energy exercising to uplifting music.
- Dancing works on all different joints and muscle groups and not just helps with pain management and flexibility but also strengthens the muscles.
- It is a lighter and more enjoyable way to work out and battle arthritis, especially osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, and is meant for every age group.
- It will also ensure regularity by building up your interest.
- According to various studies adults who switch over to dancing for arthritis are able to walk faster and even found it somewhat easier to carry out their day to day activities within months.
Dancing for arthritis patients includes low impact aerobic movements which are slow and fluid and don’t harm or overexert the ailing joints.
There are many dance forms suitable for dealing with arthritis. These include:
There are many dance forms suitable for dealing with arthritis. These include:
- Zumba : It is especially suitable for the elderly and people with physical limitations as it includes relatively slower and consistent movements to fast and lively music. Hence it may be found a fun and easy dance form as an exercise for arthritis.
- Belly dancing : It is a form that will improve hip flexibility and also strengthen your core muscles with slow and isolated but rhythmic movements but can be found time taking to learn.
- Ballroom dancing and Tango : These are slow and graceful dance forms and you can also have the support of your partner!
- Bollywood : Who would’ve thought that you could groove to you favourite bollywood numbers to fight arthritis.
- Hip hop : It involves dancing to fast upbeat music with high intensity movements and should be performed extremely carefully and slower compared to normal hip hop, avoiding any jumping.
- Pole dancing : It can improve upper body strength and hand gripping as long as performed with care and under guidance.
- Lebed Method :This gentle dance form ensures endurance, strength and a better range of motion with therapeutic movements.
- Jazzercise : It combines different movements and techniques to help with endurance ans strength but is strenuous so should be done under guidance.
All these dance forms should be done with the utmost care and under the guidance of a physical trainer after consulting with a physician.
Some tips to help you through your journey:
Some tips to help you through your journey:
- Be extremely careful
- Take it slow
- Stay positive
- Find a supportive partner
- Dont give up