It’s hard to understand how painful arthritis can be unless you’ve had to live with it. Hopefully, doctors will develop a cure, but in the meantime, you should do what you can to manage the day to day pain. This article will give you some important advice on how to reduce the pain of arthritis.
Visit a massage therapist on a regular basis if you suffer from arthritis. The massages that these professionals perform on you will help to make your body relax and ease some of the pain in your joints. It is recommended that you visit a massage therapist every two weeks if you have arthritis.
Pay careful attention to your joints. Living with arthritis means that even the slightest effort spent on a small task can result in pain. Try to slide items across counters or floors rather than lifting them, or ask someone to help. Protection against irritation and inflammation greatly reduces pain and distress; it also helps joints stay flexible.
Learn ways to adapt to your child’s need to play without injuring yourself or making your rheumatoid arthritis worse. If your child wants to play on the floor, try sitting on the bed or on the stairs to give yourself a break from trying to get up and down from the floor.
To get temporary relief, invest in a heating pad with moist heat. If you are in serious pain that prevents you from functioning at a normal level, moist heating pads can be a wise investment. These pads are great temporary measures, but it is still a good idea to go to the doctor.
Do not expect to follow the same schedule you followed before your diagnosis. Some types of arthritis can cause serious fatigue and discomfort, and you need to listen to your body. Rest if you need to, or change your schedule around to do activities at the times during the day that you have more flexibility.
Try acupuncture. While many people believe this method does not really work, studies have shown that using it can actually release pain relieving endorphins. This can work wonders for arthritis sufferers by targeting painful inflammation and swelling points in the joint, and sending these relieving chemicals to the area to trigger immediate relief.
Celebrate the small stuff! Arthritis can slow you down! If you were unable to get to your mailbox six months ago, and now you can, throw yourself a little celebration! Keeping yourself happy and positive can help you and others see that you are not a helpless creature, and that you are working hard to reach your goals! Don’t stop!
Get educated about your unique condition. There are over a hundred different types of arthritis, and learning about yours will only help you be able to manage it more effectively. Get a diagnosis from a doctor, and then do your own research to find out what to expect and how to deal with it.
Always use proper form when you are exercising. Having an improper grip or stance can put massive amounts of stress on your joints, so you should always try to begin exercising at a gym or therapist’s office. These professionals can correct the way you are exercising, and prevent you from causing unnecessary injuries.
Watch for symptoms of depression when you are dealing with psoriatic arthritis. The fatigue you experience with psoriatic arthritis can mask the symptoms of depression. It is hard to feel like you will ever be normal again after the diagnosis. Make sure to see a doctor and deal with symptoms of depression.
For arthritis pain try using hot and cold treatments to help. Apply heat to the area with a heating pad or try chilling out with an ice pack or ice water to help soothe your joints. Alternating hot and cold can help provide some powerful pain relief as well.
What you consume in your daily diet will inevitably affect your arthritis. There are studies proving that those who eat lots of vegetables, fruits, olive oil and beans are more fit and vital after just a few months. A diet rich in fresh fruits and vegetables will benefit your body as well as your arthritis.
Arthritis symptoms are sometimes relieved by the use of hot wax. Dipping your hands and feet into hot wax will help make the pain go away and reduce the inflammation. Similar to a hot soak in the bathtub, the warmth of the hot wax envelopes your fingers and your toes to reduce discomfort.
Unfortunately, there’s nothing that will completely eliminate the pain of arthritis. However, you may be surprised at how much some of these tips can help. Try the advice in this article, and see what works for you. It’s not the solution arthritis sufferers are looking for, but it’s a great bandage.
