Arthritic pain is a very serious problem for many people, especially the elderly. If you suffer from this sort of pain, you are not alone. Read on to find out if there is something you can do to lessen or contain your condition, and improve your quality of life.
Be sure to move throughout the day. Remaining in the same position for a long time puts more stress on your joints than if you shift positions. Be sure to take regular breaks to stand and stretch and make sure that your work environment is set up to allow you to protect your joints.
If you have arthritis, do not wear high heels. While stylish, high heels can cause a great deal of pain and damage to your feet. Because high heels place added stress on your knees, it is best to avoid wearing them if you have arthritis. Instead, choose a pair of fashionable, comfortable shoes. Your body will certainly notice the difference.
Unless you absolutely need painkillers, do not use them when dealing with your arthritis pain. Too many are addictive and may only provide temporary relief. If you have prescription pain killers, be sure to follow your doctor’s instructions.
Try hot wax for relief. While heating pads can give great relief when used, they do not completely touch every painful spot. Warm wax envelopes your entire hand or foot, giving you complete relief to the painful areas. Make sure the wax is not too hot, and do not use it too often, or you may cause more irritation than you fix.
It may seem odd, but developing your abdominal muscles can prevent and reduce joint pain. Strong back and abdominal muscles help you carry the weight of your body properly. Avoid overexerting yourself so that you do not cause injury to your body.
Pay attention to what your body is telling you. Everyone has different symptoms and deals differently with arthritis. Only you will know how this condition affects your body. Look at the signals your body sends out, and make changes accordingly. If the pain becomes overwhelming, then by all means take a break or take a pill.
A good tip to remember if you’re suffering from arthritis: try to keep laughing. Increasing the amount of humor in your life is an excellent way to relieve stress. Inject laughter into your life as often as possible, if you desire to feel better during the day and minimize irritation.
Consult a health care professional to get information about the use of joint treatments, including both hot and cold methods. A lot of people get relief from using ice packs or heating pads on their joints. Using both in conjunction by alternating can help reduce the pain, but do not abuse this cure.
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.
Your arthritis should not be as bad if you exercise. If weight bearing exercises are too hard, consider taking a water aerobics class. Water supports body weight and eases joint pain. When you are suffering from arthritis, you will definitely find relief with water therapy.
A good therapy for arthritis is light therapy with LED. There is research suggesting that the use of Red LED light therapy for pain management can be helpful and there are some devices that are sold over-the-counter specifically intended to target pain. Any good department or drug store should stock these simple devices. Do your LED treatment for around 15-30 minutes two times per day.
If you suffer from chronic pain, you need to have a support network that you can really rely on. Keep up with doctors appointments, so he or she can monitor your progress. Make sure that those closest to you are aware of your condition and the pain you are experiencing, then specifically ask for their support.
Find out more about your condition. Doctors usually know what they are doing, but you can face this condition better if you educate yourself about it. You should find out what causes your arthritis and look for things you can do to ease the pain or improve your condition, that your doctor might not know about.
Try using walking aids when you suffer from rheumatoid arthritis flare ups. Walking aids will help relieve the pain and stress on your joints. Every step you take can cause intense pain, so use crutches, a cane, or knee braces to help relieve the pressure and increase your mobility.
Do not be uncomfortable about asking for help or finding someone who can help you in times of discomfort just by being there or giving you an ear to listen to. Having a support system of close friends or family will help you take some of the worry and stress out of your daily routine just by being able to talk or have a shoulder to lean on.
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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