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We are excited to announce that Dr. Padma R. Chimata has been elected as the 2026 President of the Harris County Medical Society West Branch!
February is here, and we’ve officially made it through the darkest and coldest part of the winter season. Although spring is still a few weeks away, many people are starting to plan for outdoor workouts like hiking, cycling, and kayaking.
Regular exercise is important for good health, but if you have arthritis-related joint pain and stiffness, movement can be difficult. The good news is that staying active is one of the best ways to protect your joints.
At Katy Rheumatology & Associates in Katy, Texas, double-board-certified rheumatologist Padma Chimata, MD, FACP, AGS, and our caring team regularly provide exercise counseling. Keep reading to learn why exercise is so beneficial for arthritis. You’ll also find some outdoor activities to safely participate in this spring.
Many people with arthritis avoid exercise because they’re worried about it making their joint pain and stiffness worse. While it might seem counterintuitive, the opposite is true. Studies show that regular exercise:
Exercise also helps you maintain a healthy weight. Since excess weight can worsen arthritis-related joint pain, it may help you shed pounds and keep them off. Research shows that losing just 10 pounds can remove up to 40 pounds of pressure on your knees.
Before you start a new exercise routine, it’s important to consider what’s safe and what’s not. Although any type of movement is good, certain activities can increase the risk of injury or worsen symptoms like joint pain and stiffness.
Generally speaking, if you have arthritis, you want to exercise in a way that’s low impact, easy on your joints, and customizable. This may seem limiting at first, but many activities, including some sports, meet these criteria.
Consider getting started with low-impact activities such as:
Some sports you can safely participate in include golf, pickleball, and tennis. Tennis and pickleball are a little more intense, but if you start slow and listen to your body, you can enjoy them without exacerbating pain or risking injury.
No two bodies are the same, and arthritis affects everyone differently. Rather than rushing into your new workout routine, request an evaluation with our team. After reviewing your health history, discussing your goals, and completing an exam, we can make recommendations that align with your goals and current fitness level.
We can also teach you how to warm up before and cool down after exercise, and how to start slowly and increase workout intensity over time. If you need supportive devices, such as custom orthotics or other equipment, we can help you with that, too.
Once you’ve established a spring exercise plan, it’s important to listen to your body. Many people experience some soreness and stiffness after workouts, but pain may indicate an injury or underlying issue. Never “push through” discomfort. If something feels off, stop doing it.
Likewise, drink plenty of water to reduce muscle cramping and stretch before and after your workouts to reduce delayed onset muscle soreness. Practices like these can help you build toward a lasting exercise habit.
Whether it’s been years since you last worked out and you want to get back in the habit, or one of your New Year’s resolutions was to get active again, spring will be here before you know it.
If you have arthritis, a qualified rheumatologist can help you exercise safely and protect your joints. To get started, schedule an evaluation with our team at Katy Rheumatology & Associates in Katy, Texas, today.
