Exercise may be one of the best treatments for those who suffer from arthritis and joint pain. Although it may not sound like a pleasant prospect, getting those joints moving increases flexibility and will reduce discomfort in the long run.

Most of the exercises that help in reducing your joint pain, are quite simple and can be done in the comforts of your own home. The essential thing is to understand the types of movements involved and the components of the exercise, and how they help alleviate the pain. Using this knowledge, you can chart out your own routine to help reduce the pain.

Three main types of arthritis exercises should be used: range-of-motion or flexibility, strengthening, and overall fitness moves. Each kind is important to your health and well being but, range of motion exercises will ease muscle stiffness and work to keep your joints flexible most. Motion ranges pertain to the typical amount that your joints can move in specific directions.

Joints that are swollen and painful may take some time to limber up, but if you move them gently and patiently, you can eventually greatly increase your range of motion. A few simple exercises to improve flexibility are hip lifts, lower back rotations, back press and release, elbow bending, arm reaches, arm extensions and finger tip curls.

Once you work carefully with your physician to identify an exercise program that is right for you, try to do it twice daily. Each exercise should be done anywhere from 3 to 10 times. When you're moving, do it smoothly and gradually. Bouncing or jerking will do much more damage to your joints.

A lot of people don't think to breathe as they do their exercises for arthritis. It is beneficial to count your breaths out loud. It's normal to experience some discomfort when you begin, but stop immediately if you feel severe pain.

Many people believe that climbing stairs, getting dressed, cooking, and other similar household tasks will provide the same benefits as exercise. However, while it is important that people with arthritis continue their usual routines, there is no substitute for the types of movements found in exercises specifically designed to reduce the effects of joint pain.