Arthritis is a joint disorder that destroys cartilage, causing inflammation and severe pain. It is a common degenerative disease that often causes pain, swelling and irritation. Because this condition is so common, there are thousands of people out there who are willing to share their insight and advice on the matter. This article includes an assortment of tips from these people.
Good posture is vital for strong joints. This can help keep painful symptoms at bay. It’s something your mother probably always told you – stand up straight and don’t slouch! Distribute your weight equally to both of your legs and avoid standing too stiffly, as this can produce back tension. This will make your joints and spine stronger and help your symptoms diminish.
Yoga and meditation are both useful when dealing with arthritis-related pain management. These techniques have been proven effective at relaxing the body and reducing stress symptoms. To get the best results out of these techniques you should set aside time to do these things about three of four times every week.
Heating Pad
Utilize a heating pad that provides moist heat to help with arthritis symptoms. If you have persistent pain or your arthritis is seriously impairing your ability to perform activities of daily living, buying a heating pad that gives moist, penetrating heat might be a good idea. These pads give you quick pain relief, but should not be used in place of a doctor’s advice.
Planning ahead is important. Your arthritis could reignite without warning, so to prevent problems, keep a plan ready to be placed into action. It helps to plan a job so that you accomplish it one step at a time with a rest period in between. If the work is overly stressful to your body, you should stop right away.
Take the necessary steps to ensure yourself the best night’s sleep possible. When you sleep your body has time to build up energy and heal, which is key for arthritis sufferers. If you do not get enough sleep your body will be in far more pain than if you do. Consider sleeping in total darkness with all forms of light hidden or turned off and then practice your relaxation techniques before you go to sleep.
Don’t be afraid to let those around you know that your suffer from arthritis. You can tell them what you are experiencing with respect to feelings – both physical and emotional. There will be times when your arthritis could make you feel anxious and frustrated, hold you back, leave you in a rotten mood, and maybe even change your general character. If the people in your life do not know what is going on, they will be very confused at your behavior. Be sure that those around you know that you have arthritis and that it is causing your pain. Then they will understand your actions and the level of stress you exhibit.
Don’t carry that much with you. Arthritis of the shoulders occurs much more often than you may believe, and women are affected the most. Carrying over-sized shoulder bags or messenger bags filled with unnecessary items can cause your neck and shoulders to become swollen and inflamed. If carrying a bag is necessary, try to keep it as light as possible by carrying just the necessary things.
Use a diary. If you make a daily diary entry detailing what you are going through, you can begin to see trends that will indicate what triggers your pain. Make sure to include what foods you ate, what you were doing, where you were and the intensity level of your pain in your record, to make the pattern clear.
Smoking can aggravate the swelling and the pain of arthritis, so it is best to stop. There have been studies done on nonsmokers and it shows that they don’t have as many problems with pain from arthritis and swollen joints as smokers do. Consider giving up smoking to improve your symptoms. If you are having trouble quitting on your own, consult with your doctor who can prescribe a medication that will help.
Depression can be one of the additional symptoms that those who suffer from arthritis have to cope with, and speaking with a counselor can help. Chronic pain illnesses can affect your body, but they can also affect your mind and emotions, leaving you drained. A licensed counselor or therapist may be able to assist as you grapple with the emotional strain of living with arthritis.
Think about taking up yoga to elevate your overall health if you are suffering from arthritis. Yoga consists of stretching exercises and meditation for the mind. This can be of huge benefit to the arthritis sufferer. If you do not feel comfortable actually taking a class, purchase a yoga workout DVD. You will get the same benefits as you would from a class, but you don’t even have to leave home.
The advice in this article represents the best and brightest tips from people who have experienced what it is like to live with arthritis. By following these helpful guidelines, you can be more informed about the nature and treatment of your condition. There are a variety of options available for you and these are only a few.
Yoga and meditation are both useful when dealing with arthritis-related pain management. These techniques have been proven effective at relaxing the body and reducing stress symptoms. To get the best results out of these techniques you should set aside time to do these things about three of four times every week.
Heating Pad
Utilize a heating pad that provides moist heat to help with arthritis symptoms. If you have persistent pain or your arthritis is seriously impairing your ability to perform activities of daily living, buying a heating pad that gives moist, penetrating heat might be a good idea. These pads give you quick pain relief, but should not be used in place of a doctor’s advice.
Planning ahead is important. Your arthritis could reignite without warning, so to prevent problems, keep a plan ready to be placed into action. It helps to plan a job so that you accomplish it one step at a time with a rest period in between. If the work is overly stressful to your body, you should stop right away.
Take the necessary steps to ensure yourself the best night’s sleep possible. When you sleep your body has time to build up energy and heal, which is key for arthritis sufferers. If you do not get enough sleep your body will be in far more pain than if you do. Consider sleeping in total darkness with all forms of light hidden or turned off and then practice your relaxation techniques before you go to sleep.
Don’t be afraid to let those around you know that your suffer from arthritis. You can tell them what you are experiencing with respect to feelings – both physical and emotional. There will be times when your arthritis could make you feel anxious and frustrated, hold you back, leave you in a rotten mood, and maybe even change your general character. If the people in your life do not know what is going on, they will be very confused at your behavior. Be sure that those around you know that you have arthritis and that it is causing your pain. Then they will understand your actions and the level of stress you exhibit.
Don’t carry that much with you. Arthritis of the shoulders occurs much more often than you may believe, and women are affected the most. Carrying over-sized shoulder bags or messenger bags filled with unnecessary items can cause your neck and shoulders to become swollen and inflamed. If carrying a bag is necessary, try to keep it as light as possible by carrying just the necessary things.
Use a diary. If you make a daily diary entry detailing what you are going through, you can begin to see trends that will indicate what triggers your pain. Make sure to include what foods you ate, what you were doing, where you were and the intensity level of your pain in your record, to make the pattern clear.
Smoking can aggravate the swelling and the pain of arthritis, so it is best to stop. There have been studies done on nonsmokers and it shows that they don’t have as many problems with pain from arthritis and swollen joints as smokers do. Consider giving up smoking to improve your symptoms. If you are having trouble quitting on your own, consult with your doctor who can prescribe a medication that will help.
Depression can be one of the additional symptoms that those who suffer from arthritis have to cope with, and speaking with a counselor can help. Chronic pain illnesses can affect your body, but they can also affect your mind and emotions, leaving you drained. A licensed counselor or therapist may be able to assist as you grapple with the emotional strain of living with arthritis.
Think about taking up yoga to elevate your overall health if you are suffering from arthritis. Yoga consists of stretching exercises and meditation for the mind. This can be of huge benefit to the arthritis sufferer. If you do not feel comfortable actually taking a class, purchase a yoga workout DVD. You will get the same benefits as you would from a class, but you don’t even have to leave home.
The advice in this article represents the best and brightest tips from people who have experienced what it is like to live with arthritis. By following these helpful guidelines, you can be more informed about the nature and treatment of your condition. There are a variety of options available for you and these are only a few.