Air Cycle Blog
Protecting Those Arthritic Joints
We have long known the importance of exercise in the treatment of arthritis. Whilst the thought of having to make oneself active isn’t always pleasant we have been told over and over of the benefits. Now recent research and clinical trials are confirming this. John Hopkins University offers some helpful information.- Regular exercise can help keep the muscles around the joints strong, decrease bone loss and help control joint swelling and pain.
- Strengthening the muscles surrounding affected joints helps to relieve pressure on the joint and cartilage.
- Regular exercise helps replenish lubrication of the cartilage of the joint and reduces stiffness and pain.
- Lack of physical activity is associated with increased muscle weakness, joint stiffness, reduced range of motion, fatigue and general deconditioning.
- Exercise needs to be directed at the entire body and not just the joints that are affected with arthritis.
- The therapeutic importance of exercise and physical activity in the management of arthritis is not always recognised
It is true that exercise not only helps to improve our ability to move more freely but can make us feel better generally. Sometimes we are encouraged to be more active when we discover how much better we feel as a result. The feeling of relaxation and general wellbeing and the thought of remaining independent longer and improving our quality of life generally, in spite of our problems , is often just the incentive we need.
As winter and wet weather approaches, walking outdoors and gardening often become less appealing and on some days it is not as easy to exercise the entire body as it was in summer months. So it is worthwhile to look at indoor options which can help to keep our muscles moving to help support and protect those arthritic joints.
Whilst there are many options and many different types of exercise equipment available, one easy way is to use the Aircycle exerciser while you are sitting enjoying a cup of tea, chatting on the phone, reading the paper, watching TV or even while out in the car. It is so convenient and easy to use anywhere.
Posted by Jennifer Watson on 11th May, 2012 | Comments | Trackbacks | Permalink
Tags: walking, Exercise, Contol joint swelling, Control pain, Swollen ankles, Reduced swelling, Relieving pain, Stiffness, Strengthening muscles, Muscles, Mobility, Strong muscles, Protecting jointsLlubricate joints
Do Cramps Disturb Your Sleep?
Cramps are a very common complaint, especially in middle–aged and older people. They often occur at night or when a person is resting and can be extremely painful. This can lead to disturbed sleep and wakeful nights.
The most commonly affected muscles are those at the back of the calves, but both the foot and the thigh muscles may also be involved. Usually it is only one foot or calf which is affected at a time. The cramp may last only a minute or two but the muscle may be tender for a few days afterwards.
There can be many reasons for cramps but one common cause is that the muscle does not receive enough blood. This could be because of diseased arteries or when excessive heat or exercise has caused sweating and salt is depleted from the body. Excessive alcohol can also sometimes cause cramps.
It now seems that the best way to treat cramps is without drugs. For many years quinine was prescribed but it is not usually advised these days because of the possibility of side effects. Stretching and massaging the affected muscle can be most effective once a cramp occurs.
It is thought that stretching the calf muscles during the day for even just a few minutes and especially before going to bed may stop cramps occurring. If in doing so, you can work the calf muscles enough to increase the blood flow, there is a good chance you will sleep the night undisturbed.
Many people have had success in overcoming their sleepless nights with the simple-to-use AIRCYCLE exerciser. One woman phoned to say she had had her AIRCYCLE only two days and had had two nights' undisturbed sleep! She was really delighted. Within five minutes of this call I had an email from a woman saying she had had her AIRCYCLE two days and had had two nights' sleep without being disturbed with restless legs which had been her major health issue. It is heartening to hear such positive results.
Posted by Jennifer Watson on 27th January, 2012 | Comments | Trackbacks | Permalink
Tags: Office workers, Travellers, Mobility, Swollen ankles, Sitting long periods, Blood circulation, Stretch muscles, Muscles, Cramps, Disturbed sleep, Wakeful nights, Sleepless nights Cramp, Sleepless nights, Calf muscles, less wakefulness
A Surprise Birthday Gift
Our “Win a $50 Preszzy Card” competition was drawn just before Christmas.
One of our winners, Jan Butterworth, received notification of her win on her birthday! She was delighted. The surprise gift added to her birthday celebration barbecue and pavlova.
Margaret Sands replied that she was so excited to win something. She went on to say, “You do have an amazing product. I bought one for my Dad when he began having problems walking. It kept his muscles in shape and the flexibility in his hands as well. His daily carer was impressed. It went with him to the hospital wing of a retirement village and the nurses there continued to encourage him to use it.”
Posted by Jennifer Watson on 26th January, 2012 | Comments | Trackbacks | Permalink
Tags: Flexibility in Hands, Aircycle, Nurses, Retirement village, Muscles in Shape, Problems Walking
Research Backs Diabetes Warnings
This week, November 15 th- 21st is Diabetes Awareness Week. One of the themes for this special week is “stay on your feet and stay sweet as”. This is to encourage people to do 30 minutes of exercise a day. It is an appropriate reminder to us all of just how important it is to “keep moving”.
More than 200,000 New Zealanders have diabetes and the number is rapidly increasing. New Zealand has the fourth highest rate of diabetes amongst the high income countries. Sedentary behaviour is one of the known risk factors for Type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
“Every hour spent watching TV increases the risk of premature death from all causes,” says Professor Dr David Dunstan from Australia’s Baker IDI Heart and Diabetic Institute. “We are starting to understand that sitting is a potentially large public health issue”. He compares it to awareness about the danger of sun damage 20 years ago. One American expert goes as far as to call sitting “the new smoking”.
Whilst walking is an easy way to exercise daily there are many alternatives such as swimming, cycling, going to the gym, dancing or attending exercise classes. It is important too, to look after our feet in order to keep them healthy and remain active. Joint deformities and stiffness, ulcers, numbness and swelling often occur and are particularly common with diabetes. With the correct care and good blood circulation these can often be avoided.
Keeping the blood circulating freely is not always easy if you are less mobile than previously, cannot have weight bearing or strenuous activity or if you love to sit in front of TV for long evenings. However, there are ways to keep circulation to feet and legs boosted – even while we are sitting.
Some diabetes clinics and podiatrists recommend the Aircycle for this purpose. It is a great circulation booster and so easy and relaxing to use. But whichever way you find most enjoyable, the important thing is to “keep moving”. Gardening and doing our own housework may be more valuable than we think for a long life.
Posted by Jennifer Watson on 12th November, 2011 | Comments | Trackbacks | Permalink
Tags: Diabetes, Foot Care, Exercise, foot swelling, reseasrch, Poor circulation, Blood circulation, Swollen feet, Swollen ankles, Sitting long periods, WAtchingTV, Remain active, healthy feet, Keep moving, Joint deformities, stiffness, numbness, Foot care, mobile
Arthritis New Zealand's New Study
Ginger – What is it? How effective is it?
It is most interesting that Arthritis New Zealand are this month undertaking a study on the effectiveness of ginger therapy for osteoarthritis. It is being conducted in Christchurch and they are looking for volunteers to participate.
There is some preliminary evidence that ginger might be helpful for reducing osteoarthritis pain. Different studies have shown differing degrees of benefit, possibly because ginger seems to take many months to start working. Some studies may have been stopped too early.
Ginger is a herb. The rhizome (underground stem) is used as a spice and also as a medicine. It can be used fresh, dried and powdered, or as a juice or oil.
It is often used to prevent motion sickness and seasickness. Some people say they feel better after taking ginger before travel. But there is no hard evidence that ginger actually prevents motion sickness or seasickness.
Other uses include treating upper respiratory tract infections, cough, and bronchitis. In foods and beverages, ginger is used as a flavoring agent. In manufacturing, ginger is used as a fragrance in soaps and cosmetics.
Ginger therapy is a heat and relaxation therapy that has been found effective in relieving pain in osteoarthritis. It has been used for arthritis symptoms in specialist clinics in Europe for decades and traditional Chinese medicine hospitals in China for hundreds of years.
If you live in Christchurch and would like to participate in this new research, please be in touch with Arthritis New Zealand. We will wait with interest for the results of this research.
Follow the link to connect with the Arthritis NZ website and read the details of the study. http://www.facebook.com/notifications?id=117413774991650#!/pages/Aircycle/117413774991650
Posted by Jennifer Watson on 23rd October, 2011 | Comments | Trackbacks | Permalink
Tags: arthritis symptoms, reseasrch, Arthritis New Zealand, osteoarthritis pain relief, relieving pain, reducing pain, arthritis, Arthritis NZ, pain relief, osteoarthritis symptoms, osteoarthritis pain, relieving pain in osteoarthritis, ginger therapy, ginger, new study
Our Amazing Bodies and The Problems of Ageing
How amazingly our bodies work. We take for granted that blood circulates continually around inside us. We don’t think about it. We never stop to consider why this happens or the benefits of it – that every cell in our body is constantly receiving fresh blood supplies as required to do its work. However, if there is a problem we soon know about it.
Unfortunately, the inevitable process of ageing, often brings a variety of health problems with it. One which affects us all is that in time, our venous and lumphatic systems start to lose their elasticity. With that comes a more sluggish pumping of the blood and lumph, often resulting in the accumulation of fluid. This becomes evident in ankle and foot swelling which can be most uncomfortable and may even affect our mobility. It is also the reason why the doctor prescribes diuretics for so many older people
But worse still, poor blood circulation can cause a range of other problems. Hands and feet can be extremely cold. Wounds and abrasions may not heal, toes may lose their healthy colour and become tingly or numb. Without good blood supply the nerve endings may die, as often happens with the complications of diabetes. Sometimes toes, and even feet and legs, require amputation.
If our bodies no longer pump the blood as efficiently as they did when we were younger, then we must try to help them to do so in order to avoid problems. The advice from gerontologists and from most health professionals is the word we probably don’t want to hear - exercise. We get tired of being told this but it is amazing how the body is able to heal itself when the blood supply is restored.
I had a call from a diabetic man in the UK recently who found an ulcer on a toe healed in less than two weeks of gentle Aircycle exercise - after eight months of trying everything else. Read his story and others on http://www.aircycle.co.nz/gentle-exercise-elderly.html
Listen to the recording of how a Tauranga woman felt after her swollen ankles went down overnight. http://www.aircycle.co.nz/circulation-booster-joint.html
Posted by Jenny on 13th September, 2011 | Comments (2) | Trackbacks | Permalink
Tags: Blood circulation, Poor circulation, Improve circulation, Exercise, Swollen feet, Swollen ankles, Heal wounds, Toes tingly, Diabetes, Diuretics, Poor blood circulation, blood supply, wounds, abrasions, accumulation of fluid, pump the blood, older people, cold hands, cold feet, foot swelling
Frightening Research! Are We Sitting Ourselves to Death?
“Every hour spent watching TV increases the risk of premature death from all causes,” says Professor Dr David Dunstan from Australia’s Baker IDI Heart and Diabetic Institute.
For years we have been hearing that sitting for long stretches, whether in an office or at home in front of TV is risky – more risky than flying long distance. It could even be fatal. There was a report a few years ago of a young office worker who died from a blood clot - DVT.
We always think it won’t happen to us. But when are we going to sit up and take notice? When will we heed the warnings?
Dr Dunstan says, “We are starting to understand that sitting is a potentially large public health issue”. He compares it to awareness about the danger of sun damage 20 years ago. One American expert goes as far as to call sitting “the new smoking”.
Tom Fitzsimons, in the Dominion Post “Weekend”, July 16 th, gave a broad summary of the research and the problems our lifestyle presents. Click on this link to read the full article. http://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/wellbeing/5306614/We-re-sitting-ourselves-to-death
Posted by Jennifer Watson on 24th July, 2011 | Comments | Trackbacks | Permalink
Tags: Exercise, Sitting long periods
The Fear of DVT (BLood Clots)
Dancing is a great way to exercise.
Those who have had a DVT or blood clot will understand the fear people often live with of having another. This fear is all too common. However, fortunately these days people are more aware of the risks, are given information from doctors and the media and are aware of the need to keep good circulation in the legs.
There are many ways to ensure circulation is kept boosted in the feet and legs. Walking and normal daily exercise, of course being the easiest and most convenient way to maintain good blood flow. Walking groups are common and joining one can provide friendships and enjoyable outings with others.
Exercise classes of all descriptions - from the most energetic to gentle seated exercise - are available. Dancing, Tai Chi, arthritis exercise groups and many others are provided by a range of organisations.
However, even stretches of energetic exercise will not completely eliminate the risks incurred when sitting immobile for hours on an aircraft, watching TV or at a computer desk all day. New research tells us that sitting in an office all day causes more DVTs than long haul flights. (More about that next week.)
There is a range of exercisers available which can be used sitting down and do help keep the blood circulating. For less mobile people and those who are forced to sit travelling or at office desks for long periods these are a great help to counter the fear of DVT. Be sure to choose one which is easy and comfortable to use, soft on your feet and small enough to keep by your chair to use frequently during the day while you sit. If you don’t love it, chances are you won’t use it.
Exercise is so good for everyone, and it does not have to be boring or difficult. There is something available to help all ages and degrees of mobility. Just be in and get started.
Posted by Jenny on 27th June, 2011 | Comments | Trackbacks | Permalink
Tags: DVT, blood clots, exercise, Tai Chi, walking groups, improving circulation, exercisers, walking, seated exercise
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