If you have joint pain caused by arthritis, exercise may be the last thing on your mind. However, moving the joints around is the best way to limit the pain in those joints and to keep your range of motion reasonably good.

Exercises to reduce pain in your joints need not be complicated and most you can do right in the comfort of your own home. Once you understand the basic components of the types of movements that will bring relief to your joints, you can easily put together a routine to keep limber and reduce 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.

When you and your doctor decide on an appropriate routine for you, to reap the most benefit of these exercises, aim to complete it twice a day. Try to do each exercise for 3 to 10 repetitions. Be sure to move slowly, and complete each movement in a steady manner-never bounce or lurch.

Many people do not breathe properly while doing the exercise they need to treat their arthritis. It may be helpful to count your breaths out loud. You may feel a little pain when you're getting started; if you feel serious pain during your exercising, stop immediately.

Maintaining daily activities, such as household chores, stair climbing, dressing, and so forth, are an important part of living with arthritis. However, these types of activities are not always enough. Building and following a routine of exercises designed specifically to address your arthritis and joint pain is essential to maximizing your pain reduction.