31 March 2022
Arthritis Action’s Dietitian and Services Development Manager Marlin Lau is raising money by walking 80 Miles in April while strapping his knees with elastic, to mimic the limited movement that can be caused by osteoarthritis in the knees. Money raised by Martin’s fundraiser will go directly towards helping people to live active, healthy lives free from the impact of arthritis.
Many people with arthritis worry that exercise can harm the joints, however this is not true. It is normal to sometimes feel a little sore or uncomfortable after walking or exercising, especially if it is something you haven’t done for a while, but this does not mean that you are harming your joints. In fact, regular exercise is essential as it helps to strengthen the muscles that protect and support the joints. Exercise has even been shown to help reduce the pain of arthritis and improve function.
Discussing the upcoming challenge, Martin said “Arthritis shouldn’t stop people being active. Everyone should probably be doing more exercise, but this is especially true for people with arthritis who may have problems with joint pain, stiffness and reduced mobility.”
You can donate to Martin’s 80 Miles challenge by visiting his Just Giving page, or visit our Exercise and Arthritis page to learn more about the benefits of exercising if you live with a condition like arthritis.