The Role of Exercise in Management of Rheumatological Disease

Background Exercise was once viewed as having a deleterious effect on joint pain and function in those with rheumatic diseases. Positive evidence, both related to exercises at specific joints and for exercise in the management of comorbidities and for general illness prevention, is now well established. Objective The aim of this article is to provide an update on the role of therapeutic exercise at individual joints and the utility of general exercise programs in the management of comorbidities and prevention of chronic disease in those with rheumatic disease. Discussion Major international rheumatology bodies now recommend multiple forms of exercise as part of the nonpharmacological management of both osteoarthritis and the more classically inflammatory rheumatic disorders.