Jack March: Exercises for Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis

In this video, Jack March, a physiotherapist specializing in rheumatology, demonstrates exercises for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) relief. He discusses providing exercises for patients, how to prescribe them, reasons to get patients to exercise, and the many benefits that come from engaging in a workout routine.

RA mainly affects the inflammatory system, causing pain, swelling, decreased range of motion, and general health. Additionally, patients with RA are more likely to get cardiovascular issues. Exercise is an excellent strategy to improve these odds and lower the risk of developing more serious conditions, as increased muscle bulk helps with pain response as well as an anti-inflammatory effect.

As nearly all RA patients have difficulty with swelling in the joints of the hands, March implements a hand-specific exercise program with his patients. He creates individualized programs based around activities that patients enjoy to ensure that they are more likely to adhere to the routine. For each program, he incorporates the cardiovascular system, the muscular system, and range of motion exercises.

March gives lectures to his fellow practitioners about rheumatology, focusing on the recognition of conditions, disease management, and education.

For more information and additional resources, including online courses and seminars, visit Rheumatology.Physio.