Don’t get discouraged if you are dealing with arthritis and severe joint pain. Even if you are in the late stages of the condition, there are things that you can start doing right now to ease the discomfort, and even prevent further degeneration. You can take control of arthritis right now, starting with the facts and advice you receive in this article.
Exercise is one of the best medicines for arthritis. It is a great help in reducing pain and stiffness in your joints. It will increase your flexibility and the strength of your muscles which will help your body avoid further injury. Make sure to make time every day for exercise and you will see the benefits.
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.
Glucosamine is a supplement that you may want to consider using if you suffer from arthritis. This supplement is made from the shells of lobsters, crabs, and shrimp and contains nutrients that help to ease pain in the joints, especially pain in people that suffer from arthritis in the knees.
Let the sun in. Vitamin D has been shown to help relieve some symptoms of arthritis, and sunshine is well-known for increasing positive thoughts and bettering moods. Opening your blinds for around fifteen minutes every day can be enough to give you some great benefits, while still being in the comfort of your home.
Make sure your doctor is knowledgeable on the subject of arthritis. Some doctors have had extensive training in the field, and know better and more effective treatments than other doctors might. Ask your doctor how much they know about arthritis, and if they would be comfortable recommending you to someone more experienced.
The most common types of arthritis include: Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, and Psoriatic Arthritis. For each different type of arthritis, there is a different treatment that is needed.
To help with your arthritis pain, get out and get active. Not only will exercise give you more energy and improve your mood, but it will also help keep joint pain at bay. Walking, swimming, cycling, and other exercises done three times a week for 30 minutes a day will help considerably with your arthritis and overall health.
Before arthritis becomes a problem take action. With millions of people who suffer from arthritis and so many kinds of arthritis, there are endless variations in pain levels, symptoms and needs. You must be aware of the treatments that exist, and self-aware enough to be helpful in matching the right ones to your needs.
Yoga can be a huge help in getting arthritic joints moving again and “hot yoga” can provide an intense workout as well as make it easier for some arthritis sufferers to participate. Hot yoga is performed in a studio that is kept at a temperature of 105 degrees with 40% humidity. Movement is slower and many arthritic participants find the heat and humidity beneficial to loosening stiff muscles and joints to help make exercise easier.
If you suffer from rheumatoid arthritis, always pay attention to what you are eating. Some foods can actually cause arthritis pain in some people. Try using an elimination diet. Remove problem foods from your diet and slowly add them back over time. Dairy and seafood are known to cause allergic reactions which trigger arthritis symptoms.
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.
Sometimes people who suffer from rheumatoid arthritis find it beneficial to get involved in an active community of other people who also have the condition. Even if you just read blogs and articles written by others who suffer from rheumatoid arthritis, you will feel less isolated and feel more empowered with the knowledge.
While yoga may not have a wealth of research and evidence in regards to its effectiveness for dealing with arthritis, it is often recommended. Yoga involves stretching, full body conditioning and allows for group interaction which is great for stresses involved with arthritis. Use yoga not only for your body therapy but also for your mental well-being as well.
Determine what is causing the most pain and what activities are reducing your pain. If you can find out the triggers for pain and those things that are soothing the pain or aren’t causing inflammation, you can better balance your day and refrain from those activities that are causing you greater stress. This will improve your lifestyle as well, giving you a more healthy feeling from day to day that is pain free and enjoyable.
Enlist the help of a family member or friend to help you get your home arthritis friendly. Flare ups can make it hard to pick things up or reach them, so be sure to keep the most important items close at hand.
