Arthritis is a general term that means joint inflammation. One out of every three adults is afflicted with some form of the disease.
For many, it means living with chronic pain, but as WUWM’s Susan Bence found out some people are turning to exercise to ease the discomfort.
It’s almost one in the afternoon and Kelly Senior Center’s main hall in Cudahy is filled with foursomes, people engrossed in card games, Sheepshead and the like.
But down the hall, a faithful few, ranging in age from 60 into their 80s, are about to exercise. This is not for the faint of heart, participants go at it for a solid hour.
Instructor Marj Chepp has the room set up.
“This class was designed by rheumatologists, physical therapists and occupational therapists,” Chepp says.
Chepp has taught this particular class around the area for a decade. She’s here in Cudahy every Thursday. Chepp’s more than a dedicated educator.
“I have arthritis myself. I have osteoarthritis and I have fibromyalgia and I have to exercise every day, so I know, I’m in the same boat as everybody else who’s coming to class,” Chepp says.
The exercisers assume their positions at folding chairs scattered around the room. Chepp is stationed next to the CD player. All eyes are on her as she sets the tone with a little background music.
Chepp starts off with what she calls “thermal warm up” from a seated position. No matter their position, participants work every part of their bodies.
Chepp’s eyes scan the room. She says she can tell if someone is in pain, just by monitoring facial expressions. She’s working on all the joints in the entire body. The class is designed to strengthen the muscles that support those joints.
“I’m just really a strong believer in this. I know that you have to build the muscles to make the joints not works so hard and you have to get the flexibility back in and this program does all of that,” Chepp says.
Chepp keeps the atmosphere relaxed, interspersing instructions with questions. Have you noticed any new bird in your yard? Do you have any travel plans?
Now everybody’s on their feet. Getting people up on their feet gives Chepp a chance to help work on maintaining their balance. Not to mention socializing. Chepp says that’s part of the strategy. Mixing things up, getting a little chatter and laughter going, helps reduce pain.
“You know when they’re in pain, they get into a pain cycle. And then they get more pain from being depressed and this helps to eliminate that because they’re with other people and they’re talking. They’re having fun. I try to build laughter into every class,” Chepp says.
Based on the chemistry I sense in the room, I’d say Chepp’s strategy is working. The group gathers together as the class ends.
“Margie wonderful and she’s Slovak like me.” Roseann been exercising for six years.
Her friend brought her to class. Since then her friend dropped out, but Roseann keeps right on coming. Jane was diagnosed with scleroderma 27 years ago. She says she not about to give up. This class is just part of her regime.
“As soon as I get up in the morning, I have to do tai chi. I do that for 15 minutes and then I lay on the floor and exercise. You know loosen my arms and my legs,” Jane says.
Instructor Marj Chepp says scleroderma, the form of arthritis Jane is living with, is a serious one.
“The soft tissue becomes toughened and the fingers will actually fold in, the toes will fold in. It will also affect the lungs and the soft organs. It’s a serious disease as is rheumatoid arthritis,” Chepp says.
Chepp says this class isn’t intended to replace medical treatment. Depending on the type of arthritis, medication or other therapy might be necessary.
But, Chepp’s pretty sure a few of the people playing cards in the other room are living with arthritic pain that some consistent exercise might ease.
Chepp hopes, with time, she’ll win them over from the card table.
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