7 Best Stretches For Arthritis Pain

7 Best Stretches For Arthritis Pain



From achy, swollen joints to all-over inflammation or stiffness, dealing with the symptoms of arthritis can be annoying at best and debilitating at worst. And while you may think the condition only strikes older people, think again: Of the estimated 50 million adults in the U.S. who deal with arthritis, two-thirds of them are under the age of 65, according to the Arthritis Foundation.

Though it can be tempting to stay sedentary when you're dealing with an arthritis flare-up, Jessica Matthews, author of Stretching to Stay Young: Simple Workouts to

Keep You Flexible, Energized, and Pain-Free, says stretching can go a long way toward helping you feel better, fast.

"When you have arthritis, dynamic stretches can help increase your range of motion and keep your joints lubricated, which can ease some of the stiffness and pain associated with the condition," says Matthews. (You can also try these 11 workout tips for achy joints.)

Here, Matthews shares her 7 favorite stretches to ease arthritis pain. "These particular stretches focus on the four key joints in the body that are designed to be



mobile the ankles, hips, thoracic spine, and shoulders—and have been shown to enhance the efficiency and quality of movements," she says. "Ultimately, these stretches can help those with arthritis improve their quality of life." (Got 10 minutes? Try Prevention's new 10-minute workouts and 10-minute meals to lose weight—and keep it off for good.)