Did you know that among adult Americans, arthritis is one of the most common health problems? There are many other things you should know about arthritis that you may or may not know already. Read this article for some of the greatest advice that you will find anywhere.
Learn as much as you can about the disease. The more you know about the symptoms and treatments for arthritis, the more of an active role you can play in your treatment plan. It can also help you to feel less alone, to read about what others with the condition are going through and what they’ve been trying.
If you want to maintain the strength of your joints, work at having good posture. Proper posture does wonders in decreasing arthritis pain. Stand straight, and when you sit down, don’t slump over. Make sure you distribute your weight evenly. You will have stronger feelings in your joints and spine, with that you may soon see your arthritis symptoms disappear.
Discuss your arthritis with the younger members of your family. Small children may be concerned that you are injured if you are using wrist splints or walking aids. Discuss the condition with them at their level, so they can understand without fear and perhaps even assist you during a flare-up.
If you are a woman who suffers from arthritis in your back, you may want to think about changing what bras you wear. Believe it or not, certain bras can make your arthritis worse by putting pressure on your back. There are actually bras that are made just for women with arthritis.
Stretching should be a daily activity to keep your arthritis symptoms under control. You can prevent injuries just by spending 10 minutes a day stretching all of your major muscle groups. These stretches warm up for your muscles and tendons making them less likely to sustain an injury.
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.
Eat plenty of Omega-3 fatty acids to help combat inflammation. Recent studies have shown that Omega-3 fatty acids can help to reduce inflammation for arthritis sufferers. Food sources that are high in Omega-3s include fish, walnuts, and flaxseed. Better yet, try adding cod liver oil to your diet. Not only is it rich in Omega-3s, but it also has been shown to help significantly reduce arthritis pain.
Find a hobby that you can easily perform. Many people who suffer from arthritis spend their days wishing they had something they could actually do, and you can prevent this boredom by searching out your own new hobby. Whether it is painting or dancing, having something to get you moving will keep you healthy.
Elevate your legs to relieve foot and knee pain. Most people who suffer from arthritis have it the worst in their knees and ankles. Elevating your legs can help to relieve swelling and inflammation, and quickly bring pain to a standstill. Try laying on a couch, and putting your legs up on the armrest.
Keep a diary for your sake and review, as well as bringing it to your doctor’s visits. Your doctor will then be able to tell how you are doing without making you think you have to have total recall of all events. The diary also keeps track of different practices you have incorporated and their effects.
Take preventative steps to prevent your arthritis from worsening. The fact is that arthritis is a complicated disease process, with many types that produce a variety of symptoms. You will better understand how to target specific symptoms if you keep track of what symptoms you specifically have! You have to know what treatments are available to you and what you can do to better your arthritis, when you do this you find a better treatment fit for your individual needs.
Be sure to get regular exercise as part of your arthritis therapy. Avoid exercise that stresses your joints, such as aerobics, running, and possibly, bicycling. Instead, try water aerobics, swimming, and possibly, yoga. These forms of exercise minimize pressure on the joints and maximize flexibility. Remember not to overdo exercise. Give your body ample time to rest and recover.
Under your doctor’s direction, adjust your diet to include anti-inflammatory foods. This will reduce the symptoms of inflammation in your joints and reduce or eliminate arthritis pain. This specialized diet plan has proven successful for many arthritis sufferers. In fact, some were able to cut back on their use of prescription painkillers simply by following the plan.
Be sure to establish a proper balance between exercise and rest in your daily life. When you get plenty of exercise, as well as plenty of rest, you will find your arthritis is less bothersome. Remember that even very fit athletes need to give their bodies time to rest and recuperate between workouts, and so do you.
Strength training is a great way to help your body combat arthritis inflammation, stiffness and pain. A program of exercise that includes medium or higher strength training will help your body function better overall and can keep your attitude positive as well. Strength training is not for quick pain relief, but rather for your long term ability to cope with arthritis.
A great way to soothe the pain of arthritis symptoms is to get a massage. If the pain is not too severe, massages are a great way to help with pain as long as your muscles are not too tender. Massage helps release tension associated with joint stress. Try to find a massage therapist who is familiar with patients who suffer from rheumatoid arthritis.
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