Arthritis is a disease that many suffer from, and can be very painful. This article has tips that can help you lower or eradicate arthritis pain and discomfort. You may not be able to get rid of all of the pain, but using these tips will give you some relief.
Reduce the stress in your daily life. Stress causes your body to release the neurochemical cortisol, while causes inflammation. People with arthritis should know that inflammation is the main cause of the pain and stiffness of arthritis. Reducing stress reduces your body’s production of these chemicals, which relieves your symptoms.
Thinking positive thoughts can help you to cope with arthritis pain. It might sound silly, but a strong mind/body connection does exist. If your mind thinks positive, it is difficult for your body to feel negative. Fill your life with happiness and you might just find that your pain quickly diminishes.
Rearrange the furniture in your home. You want to be able to walk a straight line from one room to another. The fewer turns you have to make, the less stress you will place on your weight-bearing joints, especially your hips. You should enlist the help of a friend to move your furniture, of course.
It is important that you try not to put too much stress on your joints if you suffer from arthritis. The only thing that this is going to do is make your arthritis worse. Instead, be sure that you don’t overdo it when you have to use your arms or legs for an activity.
Before you begin self-treating for arthritis pain, be absolutely certain that the cause of your joint pain and stiffness is really osteoarthritis. A lot of people make assumptions that aches and pains they suffer as they age are from arthritis, but a wide variety of ailments can cause joint pain. A CT-Scan is the best way to know if your pain is really caused by arthritis.
When you have osteoarthritis, exercising your joints is an essential part of managing your condition. Experts have found that exercise helps relieve stiffness and keeps your joints more flexible. Stretching exercises along with light weight training can also improve your endurance and help you sleep more soundly, leading to less pain and a better quality of life.
Do not neglect yourself and your needs, if you are a parent with rheumatoid arthritis. Make sure you make time to stretch and exercise to keep yourself strong and your symptoms under control. It is easy to forget yourself when you are taking care of children, but make sure you set aside some time that is just for you, so that you can take care of your body’s needs.
Get extra rest before doing something stressful. No matter what anyone tells you, a stressful event in your life can drain you even more quickly, if you have arthritis. Prepare for these events by sleeping in, taking naps, and perhaps even eating a little extra. Having that boost of energy when you need it, will come in very handy.
Find a rubber mat to place at your stove to help prevent back and leg pain while you are standing and cooking. These buoyancy of these mats help keep pressure off of your legs which will do wonders for keeping your body feeling healthy. Buy one as well for in front of your sink to use when you are washing dishes.
Do not use your hands if you don’t have to. Even if they are not currently bothering you, protect them as much as possible; if you can open a door by pushing it with you shoulder, do so. This will help lessen the amount of pain that you feel in your joints and allow you to lead a more regular life.
Be protective of your joints by finding alternative ways of accomplishing tasks. Opening doors with your shoulder as opposed to your hands or sliding objects instead of lifting them can prevent some of the pain or discomfort you feel. Try resting books on the palm of your hand as opposed to using your fingers.
Try some new age therapies to help deal with your arthritis. The new age mind-body approach to making yourself feel better includes, breathing exercises, guided relaxation, biofeedback, and meditation. All of which will help focus your mind in ways that may help you cope with arthritis pain and improve flexibility and strength.
Do as much reading and researching as you can to learn about all the new innovations in arthritis therapy, both in the mainstream world of medicine and in a vast variety of alternative therapies. By knowing what’s available to you, you will be able to create the most effective and creative therapy plan to address your arthritis pain needs.
Incorporate Omega-3 acids into your diet. Dietary supplements often contain this healthful ingredient, and you can even get it by eating certain foods, such as fish or nuts. These fatty acids will decrease inflammation and add lubrication to the joints, resulting in decreased pain from arthritic conditions.
Arthritis Medications
Ask your doctor WHEN the best time is to take your arthritis medications. Some medicines might be most effective right after you take them, so they would be best to use first thing in the morning. Others might take a few hours before they start working, so you’d want to take those before bed.
Ask your pharmacist if any of the arthritis medications you are taking cause fatigue, and if you would be better off taking them before bed. Many arthritis prescriptions do cause lethargy, so it’s up to you to find out which ones do cause fatigue and make sure you’re taking them at times when they won’t affect your daily activities.
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