MANAGING
ARTHRITIS PAIN The Middle East Arthritis Foundation reveals that around 20 percent of the UAE population is affected by some form of arthritis, but often diagnosed too late. Dr. Humeira Badsha - Consultant Rheumatologist and Board Member at Middle East Arthritis Foundation (MEAF) reveals that the activities an individual partakes in can have a major impact on their joints and the degree of arthritis pain they experience.
PHYSICAL ACTIVITY
Dr. Humeira Badsha
Apr/May 2022
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Physical exercise such as mobility and yoga, to name a few, is essential in relieving joint pain and stiffness as it helps with flexibility, strength, and endurance, says Dr. Badsha. She elaborates, “The amount and form of exercise recommended for each individual will vary depending on: which joints are affected, the amount of inflammation, joint stability, and whether joint replacements are already in place.”
POTENTIAL EXERCISES
Dr. Badsha advises each individual should have a customized exercise plan by consulting the right expert. This will better fulfill the medical needs of each patient because the type, intensity and age of each individual varies. “A few types of potential exercises include dance, classified as range of-motion exercise, help maintain normal joint movement and relieve stiffness,” she says, this type of exercise
