iStock The motion is the lotion. Among physical therapists, this is a familiar saying, referring to the healing power of movement. The therapeutic benefits of motion, or physical activity, are especially powerful for people living with rheumatoid arthritis. While joint pain and swelling can make any movement excruciating, becoming sedentary can lead to even more challenging health issues than the disease itself. RELATED: Common Fitness Obstacles for People With Rheumatoid Arthritis “A lot of patients are reluctant to [try] movement,” says Brittany Fieri, an occupational therapist who works with people with RA. “There’s a big fear component. They’re afraid they may lose what little motion they do have and injure themselves. If that happens, they’ll lose independence," explains Fieri, who is the founder of Simplicity of Health, a fitness consultancy company. But, she says, there’s lots of evidence to show that exercise is good for those with RA, because movement helps decrease the inflammation that comes with rheumatoid arthritis.