Empowering Movement in Rheumatic Disease Management: The Role of Physical Activity

Managing rheumatic diseases demands more than medication; ongoing physical activity emerges as a vital strategy.

Regular physical activity improves function and reduces pain for many people living with arthritis, enhancing quality of life and symptom control; evidence for structural disease modification varies by condition.

The RheumMoves campaign advocates the transformative power of exercise, bridging the gap between patient knowledge and clinical practice. This initiative highlights how exercise can improve joint function and reduce pain, serving as a crucial educational tool.

Incorporating exercise into treatment plans remains a challenge, requiring a personalized approach. While recommendations differ by diagnosis, most expert groups encourage tailored exercise plans to address pain and functional limitations, with goals aligned to each patient’s condition and preferences.

Systematic reviews and randomized trials show that personalized exercise programs improve pain and function across common arthritis conditions. Adopting joint-friendly routines can ease pain and may support mood and coping for some patients.

How might exercise help? Mechanisms likely include improved muscle strength and neuromuscular control that reduce joint load, cardiovascular and metabolic benefits that support overall health, and flexibility work that preserves range of motion.

Tailoring is central: activities should match diagnosis, disease activity, comorbidities, and personal goals—whether low-impact aerobic training, progressive resistance work, aquatic exercise, or range-of-motion routines. Patients often find that regular physical activity diminishes pain and boosts overall mobility.

Adherence grows when programs are realistic and supported. Brief counseling, clear home programs, tracking tools, and follow-up check-ins can improve consistency, and pacing strategies help patients adjust intensity around flares.

Emerging options in care include digital and in-person physical therapy and structured exercise programs that can be tailored to patient needs. Building on guideline endorsements and rising awareness from efforts like the RheumMoves campaign, many clinics are integrating physical activity counseling and referrals more deliberately into care plans.

Condition-specific nuance matters: in osteoarthritis, low-impact aerobic and strengthening programs often target pain and function; in inflammatory arthritis, exercise is typically coordinated with medical control of disease activity to protect joints while maintaining fitness. Clinicians should adjust advice during flares and reinforce gradual progression.

Key Takeaways:

• Physical activity is essential in arthritis management, improving function and reducing pain for many patients.
• The RheumMoves campaign highlights exercise as a core self-management strategy in a single, accessible announcement for both patients and clinicians.
• Most expert recommendations endorse individualized plans aligned with diagnosis, disease activity, and patient goals.