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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!
Over 58 million people in the United States have arthritis, a group of more than 100 diseases characterized by joint pain, inflammation, and reduced mobility. If you’re one of them, you may have cut back on exercise to ease your symptoms, but this approach can actually have the opposite effect.
At Katy Rheumatology & Associates in Katy, Texas, double-board-certified rheumatologist Padma Chimata, MD, FACP, AGS, and our team know that regular physical activity is important for managing arthritis. Here’s how to make it a part of your daily routine.
You know that regular exercise can reduce the risk of chronic health problems, such as high blood pressure and diabetes, but did you know it can also ease pain from chronic conditions — including osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and gout — and support your overall mobility.
That may seem counterintuitive, but as the saying goes, “movement is medicine.” Exercising for at least 20-30 minutes most days of the week strengthens the supportive muscles and ligaments around arthritic joints, decreases joint pain, and supports a healthy weight (excess weight is a common contributor to joint pain).
Physical activity won’t provide relief overnight, but if you establish regular joint-friendly movement habits, it can pay off over time.
Here are a few simple ways to start incorporating regular exercise into your daily routine:
If you’re tired of dealing with joint pain, it can be tempting to jump right into a new exercise routine. However, rushing the process can stress your joints and cause worsening inflammation and discomfort.
We always encourage patients to start with low-impact activities, such as cycling, swimming, or walking. These types of exercise are suitable for people of all activity levels and less likely to cause injury. Once you establish a routine, you can slowly increase the intensity and duration of your workouts for improved joint strength, flexibility, and range of motion.
Many people assume that stretching is a “nice-to-have” practice rather than an essential one, but for those with arthritis, it’s one of the best ways to increase the effectiveness of exercise.
Stretching before and after your workouts increases your range of motion, supports circulation, and reduces stiffness so you can move your joints more easily. You can find great instructional videos online, but doing a series of yoga or tai chi poses can have similarly beneficial effects. Consistency is what helps build strong, well-supported joints over time.
Once you’ve established a regular exercise routine, add strength training into the mix. Don’t worry, you don’t have to try for any Olympic records. The goal here is to lift weights — or use your own body weight — in a way that builds up the muscles around your joints and improves mobility, so you can move more comfortably and confidently.
Because everyone’s needs and abilities differ, we recommend working with a physical therapist or personal trainer or consulting a sports medicine specialist. An expert can make personalized recommendations to optimize your workout and minimize your risk of injury.
It’s normal to experience some discomfort during exercise. For example, lifting weights often causes your muscles to “burn,” which is a normal response to exertion. That said, exercising shouldn’t be painful. If at any point you experience intense pain or unusual discomfort, stop whatever you’re doing. It’s better to play it safe than to push through and injure yourself.
In addition, give yourself plenty of time to rest and recuperate. After an especially tough workout, take the next day off. It can also be helpful to modify certain exercises. For instance, if you’re new to pushups, you might start on your knees and gradually progress to the traditional pushup position.
Exercise is a safe and effective way to manage arthritis-related joint pain and stiffness, but it should be done carefully and with professional guidance. Before diving in, it’s best to have an evaluation, so we can determine which exercises are right for you.
Ready to get started? Call or click online to schedule your appointment with our expert team at Katy Rheumatology & Associates in Katy, Texas, today.
