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What to look for in an exercise professional 

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What to look for in an exercise professional 

October 7, 2023 Pk Dev
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Many people work in the sports and fitness industry but not all are qualified to support a person with arthritis.  

A knowledgeable exercise professional will:

  • Understand that people with arthritis often avoid physical activity because they are worried about pain or injuring themselves. They will help you work through your fears and feel more confident about managing your condition.
  • Understand that arthritis symptoms can vary day to day, so any program needs to be flexible. For example, if your joints are especially sore one day, they may focus more on range of motion and stretching activities instead of intense exercise.
  • Teach you how to listen to your body and pace activities, to limit pain flares and reduce the risk of injury.
  • Understand that it can be hard to stick to an exercise program. They can help you identify things that get in the way of you staying active and work with you to find solutions. An exercise professional should also have experience in prescribing an exercise program for arthritis that is safe, effective, and enjoyable. This should:
  • Be appropriate to your current level of fitness.
  • Include a range of activities to improve your flexibility, muscle strength, cardiovascular health, posture and balance. 
  • Include warm-up and cool down activities to protect your joints and reduce the risk of pain.
  • Change over time as your fitness improves.
  • Take into consideration your preferences.  For example, you may prefer to exercise alone or in a group, in your home or outdoors, or in water or on land. You are more likely to stick to a program you enjoy. 

How to find an exercise professional

You can ask your GP to refer you to a physiotherapist or exercise physiologist. 

Or you can search online. 

  • The Australian Physiotherapy Association has a Find a physio search facility.
  • To find an exercise physiologist, go to Exercise & Sports Science Australia’s Find an AEP .

These search engines allow you to look for professionals in your local area. Not all exercise professionals specialise in arthritis, so try to look for one with a ‘musculoskeletal’ speciality. If you have trouble getting to a clinic, some exercise professionals now offer telehealth appointments.